Richardville votes to let colleges in Jackson and Washtenaw counties proceed with campus renovation projects
LANSING—The Michigan Senate today approved funding to help several colleges in Jackson and Washtenaw counties proceed with campus renovation projects, said Sen. Randy Richardville, who represents the 17th Senate District.
House Bill 4310 authorizes Eastern Michigan University and Jackson Community College to begin construction immediately.
“The funds provided to colleges and universities are important because they help improve students’ opportunities for training and also provide construction jobs for the surrounding communities,” said Richardville, R-Monroe. “Once the governor signs the bill, the colleges will be able to begin working on the renovations.”
Jackson Community College will receive $10.9 million, half of the costs needed to renovate the Justin Whiting Hall to expand its nursing and allied health career programs. The proposal includes advanced classroom technologies, state-of-the-art instructional laboratories, and related instructional program equipment. Fifty percent of the project will be funded through the state and the remainder will come from general operations revenue.
The state will provide Eastern Michigan University with $31.5 million for updates to the Pray-Harrold Building. It has the largest classroom on campus and serves approximately 10,000 students. Renovations will address inadequate technology infrastructure; poor heating, ventilation, energy and air conditioning systems; handicap accessibility issues; and overcrowding. The university will contribute $10.5 million to the project.
“I am pleased that educational institutions in Washtenaw and Jackson counties received the funding,” Richardville said. “The projects will help update the buildings and provide better educational resources for the student.”
The Senate also authorized Washtenaw Community College to proceed with the planning phase of its proposed renovation project.
The college will renovate its Occupational Education and Advanced Manufacturing Buildings to emphasize environmental science, allied health instructional programs and renewable building practices. The total cost is $14.8 million.
Washtenaw Community College must provide additional details for the plan before receiving construction authorization from the Legislature.
Posted: Friday, June 26, 2009
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