May 2014 Regents Report

Today@Sam has their report on the quarterly meeting of the Texas State University System Board of Regents:

...[T]he university was granted authority to proceed with plans to construct a parking lot in the southern area of campus on the site of the recently demolished Richmond Apartments. The parking lot will be directly south of a proposed student-residential complex and to the west of Raven Village. In addition to the parking lot, construction will include sidewalks, the 22nd Street extension between Avenue J and Avenue I, and underground storm water detention facilities.

The following Planning and Construction Report comes from the meeting's minutes:

I. Project Planning & Programming

1. South Dining
Est. Completion: August 2016

The proposed 32,000 square foot food service/dining facility will be located adjacent to the existing South Paw dining as an enhancement to support the south food service capacity. The existing bakery and food service offices will be moved from the Belvin basement to the new facility. The expansion will be located over an existing parking lot. Extension of utilities will be necessary to support the facility. Kirksey was selected as Architect in March 2014 for design services and programming has commenced.

2. Health and Life Sciences Building (formerly Biology, Health Sciences and Shared Equipment Building) & Campus Infrastructure

This project is the consolidation of two projects on the FY2014-FY2019 CIP: the Biology, Nursing and Allied Health Building and the Shared Equipment Building.  Programming is underway in anticipation of a possible Tuition Revenue Bond request. The Biology, Nursing and Allied Health Building, was not funded. The building is proposed to include consolidated instructional, research, and administrative areas for Biology, a Health Science Dean’s suite, instructional, research, and administrative areas for Nursing, Forensic Science program a Shared Equipment area providing research capabilities, and common instructional and building support areas. Preliminary analysis suggests the building would provide approximately 200,000 gross square feet.

3. Gibbs Ranch Equine Arena

The project was previously under Gibbs Ranch Ag Arena as listed in the FY2014-2019 CIP. Due to the specialized need for program specific functionality the project was separated from the existing CIP project.  Programming kick-off started in February 2014. The new facility will support the academic growth in equestrian and animal sciences, as the Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences continues to set enrollment records. Equine Science is one of the more rapidly growing areas and currently serves as an option for a minor to students.  Likewise, population of horses and interest in equine production and training along the I-45 corridor between Dallas and Houston is the state’s largest student interest in equine science parallel s the population statistics and Sam Houston State University is situated at the hub of this interest. The current facilities do not meet the demands and objectives for academic outcomes and research agendas.

4. CMIT/LEMIT/PRC Facility & Infrastructure

Correction Management Institute of Texas (CMIT) and Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) are expanding their services to the law enforcement community throughout the state and nation. These activities are located in the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center (Beto CJC) where SHSU's Criminal Justice (CJ) academic program is housed. By relocating the non-academic programs off campus, SHSU's Criminal Justice College will be able to expand as anticipated. The Police Research Center (PRC) has been a long-term endeavor to develop a comprehensive police information management system, the Criminal Research, Information Management, and Evaluation System (CRIMES), which also be located in the new facility. Programming was approved in November 2013. The project will be located north of main campus on 78 acres which were transferred by Texas Department Criminal Justice to TSUS for the use of Sam Houston State University in the 83rd Legislative Session. This parcel is currently being master planned with this project being part of the first phase.

5. I-45 Recreational Complex

This project originally combined athletics and recreational sports into the existing Agriculture campus and Holleman field areas; however, budget estimates did not align with University projected budgets. Therefore, the programming restarted with only the recreational components included and the project is being reprogrammed in phases. Programming was approved in August 2013 and will be used to support the Capital Campaign. The project is on hold pending funding.

6.  Gibbs Ranch Plant Science Field Lab

The project is envisioned as a replacement facility for the existing Horticulture operations currently at the I-45 Ag Complex, and provides opportunity for growth of departmental capabilities to better serve students. It consolidates greenhouses, shared classroom/research lab space, and a series of gardens and exterior amenities totaling 8,500 gross square feet and 7,500 square feet respectively.  The architectural program was approved in April 2012 and the project is awaiting funding. 

7. Lowman Student Center Expansion

 Programming began on June 22, 2012 to expand and selectively renovate the Lowman Student Center to expand the services and activities that support student life. The expansion is planned to be located on the Smith-Kirkley Hall site. The October 2012 student referendum vote was successful for this project.  Programming is complete and was approved in January 2013. The project is awaiting funding.

 II. Design/Construction Document Phase

8. Fred Pirkle Technology Center (formerly known as Agriculture and Technology Building)

Est. Completion: August 2016.  The building will house future programs for the Engineering Technology program as well as consolidate existing programs currently being taught in multiple locations. Programming is complete. An architect and a construction manager-at-risk were recently selected. Schematic Design was expected to begin mid-April 2014. 

9. South Residential Complex

Est. Completion: August 2016.  The Project includes construction of two new 335-bed residence halls (670 beds total) of approximately 105,000 gross square foot each. Large open green spaceand pedestrian walkways will provide ample access in both directions. The project will include a modular chiller plant and associated infrastructure to support the residence halls and a future dining facility. The project is intended to create the south residential district of the Sam Houston campus.

10. South District Parking & Related Infrastructure

Est. Completion: December 2014.  This project includes construction of approximately 400 parking spaces, concretesurface sidewalks, the 22nd Street extension between Avenue J and Avenue I,and underground storm water detention facilities. It will be located on the site ofthe recently purchased Richmond Apartments and adjacent parking lots. Design began in February 2014.

11. The Woodlands Center Level 4 Nursing Build out

Est. Completion: December 2014. A project to build out level 4 at The Woodlands Center for the nursing program upper level classes kicked off in November 2013. The program is complete and design documents are being developed.

12. Sycamore Vivarium

Est. Completion December 2014.  Design kick-off started September 29, 2013 for the vivarium project which includes four animal holding rooms, housing primarily for rodents, and associated support areas including a Procedure Room located at the recently purchased property at 1614 Sycamore Avenue. The project will allow the University to relocate this operation into a suitable facility. The Guaranteed Maximum Price has been confirmed. Construction is expected to begin in June 2014.

III. Construction Phase

13. Student Health and Counseling Center

Est. Completion: August 2014.  The new 29,000 square foot center will house both the University’s physical health and mental health services. The project is located next to Old Main Market where former King Hall was situated. The Design Development package and project cost were approved at the August 2013 Board of Regents meeting.  Construction began on October 14, 2013 with a projected completion date which would allow for a Fall 2014 opening.

14.  Sam Houston Village HVAC/Structural/TAS Renovations (combined projects formerly referred to as Sam Houston Village HVAC Renovations & Sprinkler Repairs and Sam Houston Village Structural Repairs & TAS Renovations)

Est. Completion: August 24, 2012.  The Construction Manager-At-Risk, SpawGlass Construction, was selected in May 2011. A Notice to Proceed has been issued to the Contractor and a construction kickoff meeting was held on November 1, 2011. Construction progress is 99% complete. Interior Substantial Completion was achieved on July12, 2012, with Exterior Substantial Completion reached on August 2, 2012. The residence hall was opened on schedule for the 2012 fall semester. Project close-out is in process.

 15.  University Camp Phase 2 (formerly known as Bearkat Camp)

Est. Completion: December 6, 2013.  The Phase 2 Master Plan for the University Camp at SHSU’s Riverside property is complete. SpawGlass Construction was selected as Construction Manager-At-Risk in November 2011. A Notice to Proceed was issued mid-November 2011 for the design of overnight accommodations, assembly hall and the swimming pool. The Design Development Package was approved at the August 2012 Board of Regents meeting with the pool as an add-alternate pending availability of budgeted funds. The project cost increase was approved at the May 2013 Board of Regents meeting to accommodate the addition of the swimming pool.  The project was substantially complete on December 6, 2013.

 IV. Completed Projects
N/A