OSU/A&M Regents act on several campus construction projects and improvements

Friday, March 7, 2008

(STILLWATER, Okla., March 7, 2008) – Members of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents approved several agenda items today affecting several construction and renovation projects and improvements that will significantly enhance the OSU-Stillwater campus.  

Regents authorized OSU’s president to enter into an agreement for joint projects with the City of Stillwater.  The $3.25 million projects include the complete reconstruction of University Avenue between Monroe and Knoblock.  The improvements will include the replacement of water and sewer lines and extensive storm sewer improvements in addition to ten-foot sidewalks along most of the south side and six-foot sidewalks along the north side plus improvements to the Student Union Parking Garage.  OSU’s portion of the cost will be $1.65 million.     

The Board also approved granting the City of Stillwater easements and rights-of-way in the Phase I Athletic Village area located between McElroy Road and Hall of Fame Avenue (north and south) and Washington and Duck streets (east and west).  This will allow Stillwater to install new water, sanitation and storm sewer lines as well as the possible future expansion of city streets.  

In addition, Regents gave approval to allow the university to accept gifts that will finance the Sherman Smith Indoor Training Facility and outdoor practice fields, a new Equine Sports Complex and equine barn.  The gifts are part of the $165 million gift from T. Boone Pickens in 2006. 

The indoor training facility for men’s and women’s athletic teams and outdoor practice fields will be located north of Boone Pickens stadium.  The Equine Sports Complex will be located on the site that formerly housed the OSU Swine Facility on West Sixth Street in Stillwater.  The new complex will house the OSU equestrian team’s horses and related equipment.  The pre-fabricated equine barn will be located at the current OSU equestrian team facilities and will remain on that site once the team has moved to its new location so it can be used by the College of Agriculture. 

Regents gave approval today to begin the selection process for a construction manager and architect for the $86 million Student Union renovation.  The project, which was approved by the board in January, will enhance services and programs and update the union’s infrastructure.   

Also Friday, Regents selected Lippert Bros., Inc., Oklahoma City, OK as the construction manager for an upgrade to the OSU-Stillwater water treatment plant and distribution system. The $4.7 million project is being funded through the state’s Master Real Property Lease program.

The Board also gave the go ahead to the William S. Spears School of Business to ask the Oklahoma State University Foundation to hire an architect to prepare conceptual drawings for a new business building to be used for the purposes of fund-raising. 

The OSU campus water treatment facility has been inactive the last five years and this upgrade will allow OSU to more effectively address its water needs.  In addition, because the distribution systems for OSU and the City of Stillwater are interconnected, each can provide backup to the other in the event of maintenance issues, emergencies, or other needs.