Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1994 [PAGE 86]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

74

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[September 15

Accordingly, the president of the University, with the concurrence of the appropriate administrative officers, recommends that the board approve a waiver of the University's normal practices on bidding procedures to permit the solicitation of single bids for remodeling the Clinical Sciences North Building for the Obstetrics/ Gynecology Department, Chicago.

On motion of Mr. Grabowski, this recommendation was approved by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Boyle, Mrs. Calder, Dr. Gindorf, Mr. Grabowski, Mrs. Gravenhorst, Mr. Lamont, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Reese; no, none; absent, Dr. Bacon, Governor Edgar. (The student advisory vote was: Aye, Mr. Didato-Castillo, Mr. Rose; no, none.)

Acquisition and Exchange of Land for Agricultural Research

(29) Over recent years, the reassignment of College of Agriculture land to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, State Surveys, and other campus units has created a deficiency of the land needed for agricultural research. The South Farms Master Plan, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in September 1990, recommended the expansion of the south farms by approximately 1,600 acres. Further accommodation of nonagricultural use on land assigned to the College of Agriculture is suggested in the Master Plan. As a result, in November 1990, and September 1991, the board authorized the acquisition of two 200-acre tracts of farmland from Marjorie P. Grein. The college has determined that an important parcel for its research programs is located contiguous to a portion of the east Grein tract. The 145.07-acre tract, which is owned by Shirley M. Baylis and Carolyn F. Baylis, has the soils, topography, and location desired by the college. Also, its use in combination with the Grein farm would provide sufficient size to support a number of research activities. The owners have indicated a willingness to sell the farm for $544,000 ($3,750/ acre), a price supported by University appraisal. There are insufficient funds available for the University to acquire the land at this time. The University of Illinois Foundation can purchase the property and sell it to the University when funds become available. It is proposed that the following transactions and allocation of funds provide for the necessary financing to acquire the Baylis farm. There are 120 acres of farmland located in Wabash County that were bequeathed to the University by Ethel V. Higginson in 1969. The property has been used for production agriculture and its income is used for agricultural research programs. The property, which is valued at approximately $200,000, will be traded to the Foundation for a portion of the Baylis farm of equal value. Furthermore, $50,000/year will be available from campus institutional funds in Fiscal Year 1995 and Fiscal Year 1996. The balance of the purchase price will be provided by gift funds and income from the Reifsteck farm and the Baylis property (until it is converted to research use). It is anticipated that title to the Baylis property will be transferred to the University within two years. In the interim period, the University will lease the Baylis farm from the Foundation. Accordingly, the president of the University, with the concurrence of the appropriate administrative officers recommends that: 1. The University of Illinois Foundation be requested to: a. purchase the Baylis land at a price of $544,000 and to lease the land to the University at a rental sufficient to cover the carrying costs incurred by the Foundation. b. Exchange a portion of the Baylis land with the University for the Higginson tract as outlined herein; and 2. Authorize the acquisition of the Baylis property from the Foundation when funds are available.