COLUMBUS - In her annual report to The Ohio State University Board of Trustees Feb. 4, University Architect Jill Morelli focused on how the more than 200 construction projects managed by her office last year relate to the university's academic mission.
The construction, which has a value of $1.25 billion, covers a wide range of uses, from biology labs to libraries to places where students can congregate. “And all of them, even the Ohio Stadium, contribute to the undergraduate experience,” Morelli said. “The preponderance of the projects that we handle address the academic mission and the undergraduate experience. Some of them, such as the Hale Center, address the issue of diversity.”
Space in the Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center vacated by the Life Care Alliance was recently renovated for use as classrooms, computer laboratories and offices to support minority students and programs of the Office of Student Affairs and Office of Minority Affairs. A grand opening of the renovated space is scheduled for Feb. 29.
Morelli guided the trustees through a simulated walk through central campus, highlighting a number of projects under review, in design, under construction or recently completed.
To follow up on the Landscape Master Plan approved by trustees last May, Morelli's presentation included a glimpse of the Oval-Mirror Lake Hollow-River of Trees project, which may call for the rebuilding of Mirror Lake and its walkways, along with landscaping and irrigation of the Oval. Plans also include the creation of a new link between Mirror Lake Hollow and the Olentangy River, along the south side of the Larkins fields, to be called the River of Trees. The new pathway will provide inviting places to sit and congregate within an enhanced landscape. The study of the project is expected to be completed by September.
Other highlighted projects included:
The $60-70 million renovation of the Main Library, which has been approved by trustees and sent to the Board of Regents for consideration. The project will bring the facility up to date and restore some of its architectural grandeur, such as possibly returning the main reading room to its original two-story design with a vaulted ceiling.
The $136 million Larkins Hall renovation and replacement project, which calls for renovating existing facilities; replacing the Peppe Aquatic Center; and construction of a new building to contain expanded conditioning and weight training areas, new courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and squash, and areas for indoor soccer and floor hockey. Completion is expected by May 2005.
The $23 million Heart and Lung Institute, 473 W. 12th Ave., which is on target for April 2000 completion. The remaining section of Upham Hall was torn down to make way for the six-story teaching and research facility for diseases of the heart and lungs.
The $9.8 million Younkin Success Center, 1640 Neil Ave., which is expected to be occupied by spring quarter. Located at the site of the former Neil Hall, the 60,000-square-foot facility will house an academic learning lab, study spaces, student-athlete support services, and counseling and consultation services. A $17 million renovation to Page Hall, 1810 College Road, for which architects have been selected. The facility will house the School of Public Policy and Management, classrooms, the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy and an area shop for Physical Facilities. The estimated completion date is 2004.
The $20.5 million renovation of Hagerty Hall, 1775 College Road, which will provide space for the World Media and Culture Center, other College of Humanities units, and classrooms. Completion is planned for 2004. The $25 million renovation of the Botany and Zoology Building, 1735 Neil Ave., which will include renovating the building for use by the College of Biological Sciences and other academic areas, restoring the historic front section facing Neil Avenue, and demolishing some more recent inappropriate additions. The project is currently in the planning phase.
A $21.6 million replacement of the 1957 and 1959 sections of Sisson Hall in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The replacement facility will house research and teaching labs, a library, classrooms, and administrative, faculty and graduate student offices. The 1987 addition will be modified as needed to fit the replacement. The projected completion date is August 2002.
Construction approved
Trustees authorized the university to hire construction managers for work at Larkins Hall, Robinson Laboratory and the Fisher College of Business, to seek construction bids for University Hospitals East and to hire architect/engineering firms for University Hospitals.
The $136 million Larkins Hall renovation and replacement project calls for renovating existing facilities, replacing the Peppe Aquatic Center, and constructing a new building. House Bill 850, future capital appropriations, university bonds and Department of Athletics sources provide funding.
The Robinson Laboratory project calls for demolishing the existing lab and constructing new space for the Mechanical Engineering Department on the site. The cost is estimated at $62 million, with funding provided by House Bill 850, future capital appropriations and gifts to the College of Engineering.
At the Fisher College of Business, a construction manager will be hired to oversee the Executive Residence project, to be completed in 2002 at an estimated cost of $28.4 million. Also a construction manager will be sought for a kitchen build-out to be constructed for Pfahl Hall to serve the Executive Education dining room in Pfahl Hall and the Executive Residence. The estimated construction cost is $1.3 million, to be funded by University bonds.
Trustees also authorized University Hospitals to hire architect/engineering firms and seek construction bids to upgrade fire systems in Cramblett Hall (previously University Hospital Clinic), at a cost of $597,500.
Increases were approved in the cost of two projects: At University Hospitals East, the estimated cost of the Muscular Skeletal Program project has increased to $10.9 million; and the obstetrical/gynecological clinic project at Cramblett Hall has been revised to $2.1 million.
Land sales
Trustees approved the sale of two parcels of land: .37 acres at 1165 Kinnear Road to Columbus Wood Products, which owns adjacent property, for $15,000; and two tracts totaling .28 acres in Noble County to the Ohio Department of Transportation, which will pay $300 for the land and $1,600 for replacement fencing.
Budget reports
Trustees received an update from William J. Shkurti, senior vice president for finance, business and administration, comparing original budget projections for fiscal year 1999 with audited financial statements for the year. He said general fund resources were 1.4 percent over budget, while expenditures were .95 percent below budget. Both resources and expenditures were above budget for earnings accounts, particularly for the hospitals. Shkurti said the general fund estimates were within the acceptable margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent and that variances in earnings budgets also reflect year-end audit adjustments.
Trustees also approved a routine mid-year budget report by Shkurti, who said that in the general fund an increase in fee income and use of the enrollment reserve will offset the $1.7 million net subsidy reduction caused by implementation of the Ph.D. enrollment cap. Other funds increased $75 million to reflect the addition of University Hospitals East. He said the FY 2000 general fund budget remains balanced, but margins going into FY 2001 are very tight. He advised that the Ph.D. cap will require Ohio State to manage graduate enrollments differently than it has in the past, and that hospital finances will need to continue to be monitored closely.
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Contacts: Jill Morelli, (614) 292-4458 William Shkurti, (614) 292-9232