Building a better university

Construction projects include parking garage, Jardine complex and Beach Museum

 

Orange cones and constructions signs can be found all over campus. * Two renovation projects are at various stages of construction and one project has just been completed.

Other projects relating to deferred maintenance are still in the initial design phases, said Ed Rice, associate vice president for facilities.

The scent of dust and diesel fuel hangs in the air south of the K-State Student Union as construction continues on the new parking garage. The new facility will have 1,384 parking stalls, a considerable gain from the 400 parking spaces the lot once provided.

Murray and Sons Construction Company Inc. of Topeka is handling the construction of the $15.9 million garage.

The structure is being funded by the sale of revenue bonds that will be repaid through K-State parking system revenue.

Rice said "quite a bit of the electrical work" is done for the parking garage, which should be finished in about 18 months.

"Things are going very well and the contractor is very good," said Rice. "I believe this is going to have a tremendous impact on parking on that side of campus, and it's something that's been needed for years."

Jardine Apartment Complex, which currently houses about 1,000 residents, is in the midst of a 10-year, $100 million expansion. The project includes new buildings and extensive renovations. Phase one will provide 736 new beds, for a total of about 1,350 beds; phase two, scheduled to start in 2010, should bring the total bed count to about 1,900, including new construction and renovated units.

"We're doing very well," said Skyler Harper, assistant director of K-State housing and dining services.

Construction has been completed on the new wing of the Beach Museum of Art. To inaugurate the Mary and Morgan Jarvis Wing, the museum staff has planned "Art's Up!" It is a daylong celebration scheduled for Oct. 21.

Some existing Jardine buildings have undergone minor renovations, Harper said.

Minor renovations include things like new carpeting, baths and kitchens. Starting in summer 2008, seven buildings will undergo major renovations that will equip units with such amenities as full-size appliances and in-unit climate control.

Funding for this project comes from bonds issued by the Kansas Development Finance Authority and private contributions. K-State housing and dining services receives no money from the state, city or university.

Recently, construction was completed on the new wing of the Beach Museum of Art. To inaugurate the Mary and Morgan Jarvis Wing, the museum has planned "Art's Up!" The event will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, and will include refreshments, tours, music, entertainment and an afternoon tailgate party.

 

Photo: K-State's new parking garage is expected to be completed in about 18 months. (Photo by Dan Donnert, K-State photographic services)