CONTACT:
Chancellor Richard H. Wells, (920) 424-0200
OSHKOSH – The State Building Commission Wednesday approved a University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents recommendation to spend nearly $1.2 million for preliminary planning and design of a new academic building at UW-Oshkosh.
Construction for the estimated $48-million facility, which will house the university’s College of Business and several College of Letters and Science departments, could begin in January 2008 and be completed in time for fall 2009 classes. Regents approved the recommendation to begin planning on Oct. 7.
The UW-Oshkosh Foundation plans to raise $8 million to go along with $40 million in state funds needed for the project.
“We are excited to begin planning for the first new academic building on this campus in more than 30 years,” said Chancellor Richard H. Wells. “The State Building Commission’s approval offers us a chance to make a real difference in the educational experience of generations of students.”
Wells said the nearly 150,000-square-foot building would make a major dent in the campus’ documented 214,000-square-foot shortage of academic space.
The project will be a major component in the university’s first capital fund drive, Foundation President Thomas Keefe said.
“This project offers alumni, area businesses and local organizations a project to rally behind, a chance to support academic excellence that also translates into our region’s economic future,” he said.
UW System and the campus will begin steps to hire an architect to design the facility. The process is expected to take about six months, said Thomas Sonnleitner, vice chancellor for administrative services.
Other recent campus improvements include: a $19-million renovation of Reeve Memorial Union, a $16-million renovation of Halsey Science Center, a $12.2-million renovation of Taylor Hall and the soon-to-begin, $21-million Student Recreation and Wellness Center and $7.7-million parking ramp.
