The U David Eccles School of Business is asking the Utah Legislature for a $23 million bond to help build two new buildings.
The proposal, currently being debated by members of the majority Republican Caucus, will make up 29 percent of the total cost of the project, which aims to begin construction as soon as April, depending on the outcome of state budget meetings.
“Why our proposal is attractive is that we’re ready to start building immediately,” said Jack Brittain, dean of the business school. “We looked at a remodeling option first, but it turned out to not even be less expensive and it’s a less satisfactory result.”
The project would be split into two phases: The first would begin with the demolition of the Madsen Building and the construction of a new building in its place. The new building will include 24 classrooms, compared with the eight classrooms in the Madsen Building, and will have 40 smaller “break-out rooms” for student use.
“This is going to be a great addition for the students,” Brittain said. “We’re adding into the facilities a lot of student amenities.”
The estimated cost of the project is near $80 million, down from the initially proposed price of $107 million.
“Costs are dropping rapidly due to the current situation8212;prices peaked when we first pitched the project,” Brittain said. “I don’t know that we’re getting a bargain, but it’s considerably less than it was before.”
The plan was proposed last year, but was passed over by legislators at the very last minute, said Paul Brinkman, associate vice president for budget and planning.
U administrators have been met with more success this year at the Legislature8212;so far.
“Last year, we hadn’t designed the building yet,” Brittain said. “They deferred the decision because we weren’t ready yet. This year, we’re folded into the economic stimulus package for the state. What makes the project attractive this year is the private donors. Last year, the state was helping the donors, but this year the donors are helping the state. That flip was very advantageous for us.”
The new buildings will allow the growing business school population to have more classrooms. Eight classrooms in the Marriott Library are currently being used because the Madsen Building was closed in December for preparation work leading into the demolition.
“This is going to help a lot. I had an intro class at (the Madsen Building) and it was a bit suffocating,” said Ryan Perry, a sophomore majoring in health sciences. “I’m glad it’s getting replaced.”
The entire project, which will take an estimated three and a half years to complete, will cover 180,000 square feet, 70 percent of which will be devoted to students, including study rooms, break-out spaces and student lounges.
University of UtahThe David Eccles School of Business is asking for a $23 millinon dollar bond from the legislature to build new buildings.