The Board of Trustees reviewed plans for several new campus facilities at its Friday meeting, which marked the first meeting since new trustee Raymond Harbert was approved by the Alabama Senate March 24.
One project the Board reviewed was the South Quad Multimodal Transportation Facility, a parking deck that will provide 400 spaces.
The Board approved the selection of Evan Terry Associates of Birmingham to design the facility.
The firm also designed the parking deck near Plainsman Park baseball stadium.
Board members approved the initiation of the construction manager selection process, which will help establish the cost of the project.
Spina, a member of the Property and Facilities Committee, said he thinks the project is overdue.
"It will be at a reduced cost because (the firm) already has all the details," Spina said.
The Board also addressed the temporary relocation of Tiger Transit bus routes because of construction.
University architect Greg Parsons said the relocation places students approximately 100-to-150 yards farther from campus.
He said the current phase of construction should be complete by the end of the summer.
"We'll suspend work until after football season," Parsons said.
Another project in the South Quad the Board discussed was the new Information Technology Building.
The Board approved the site, schematic design, budget and funding plan.
The facility, which will be approximately 62,000 square feet, will cost an estimated $24 million.
Funds will come from unused bonds and IT infrastructure funds.
The building will contain Information Technology offices and serve as the main campus computer room, which is in the basement of Parker Hall and is prone to flooding.
"We'll put it on high ground this time," said one trustee.
The Board also approved moving forward in the construction of a Poultry and Animal Nutrition Center, an MRI Research Center, a Small Animal Teaching Hospital and an Air Transportation Hangar.
The Board also briefly discussed the progress of The Village. The University is accelerating the pace of construction to ensure students will be able to move in on time.
Members commented their hopes that The Village, designed to be "living-learning communities," will encourage students to be more engaged with their education. The Board plans to discuss the issue more at its next meeting in June.
"We authorized $165 million for this, and the only reason we did this was for living-learning communities," said Trustee Jack Miller. "Otherwise, they could be in pup tents."
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