Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1952 [PAGE 1170]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

I267

Various alternatives have been studied by the Physical Plant Department and the Housing Division and their conclusion is that the most desirable procedure is to go on with the project with these modifications: ( a ) Reduction of construction costs by acceptance of alternates provided for in the plans and specifications to bring the total cost down to $2,237,000. The architects are negotiating with the contractors who are the lowest bidders to determine what can be done. ( b ) Provision of food service for 1100 men instead of 1000, and increasing housing capacity by 97 instead of by 76 in the present halls and by 106 instead of by 06 in the new unit. ( c ) Extension of the financing period to run approximately forty years. The initial bond issue would be for a shorter period so that this would require refinancing of a substantial amount upon final maturity of the original issue. Subject to a favorable report on the financial program herein proposed and to securing federal government approval to proceed with construction and issuance of bonds, the Director of the Physical Plant and the Comptroller recommend: ( a ) Approval of the project at a revised estimated total cost of $2,237,000. ( b ) Authorization of the Executive Committee to act for the Board on the award of contracts to lowest bidders at figures negotiated through acceptances of alternates to reduce construction costs. ( c ) Authorization of the Comptroller to secure bids on revenue bonds and to report the same to the Board. (d) Employment of Chapman and Cutler, Chicago, as attorneys for the bond issue. I concur in these recommendations, and I recommend further that the Comptroller be requested to negotiate with the architects to eleminate extra costs and charges for additional architectural services required as a result of the changes made by them in departing from the original basic plan without the approval of University officials.

On motion of Mr. Fornof, these recommendations were approved by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Fornof, Mr. Grange, Mrs. Holt, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Megran, Mr. Nickell, Mrs. Watkins; no, Mr. Herrick; absent, Mr. Hickman, Mr. Stevenson.

BIDS ON EAST DENTISTRY-MEDICINE-PHARMACY BUILDING

(25) The Sixty-seventh General Assembly of Illinois appropriated $5,540,000 to the University for the construction of the East Dentistry-Medicine-Pharmacy Building and for equipment for the same. This is $800,000 less than the $6,340,000 requested by the University in its original askings. Bids have been received on the principal items of construction. Based on these bids and allowing for other necessary costs the total cost is estimated at $8,723,929. This includes $1,246,765 for areas and facilities which are related to the reduction of $800,000. Various alternatives have been studied to keep the total cost within the amount appropriated. It is essential under the terms of the appropriation act that use of the funds produces a finished, usable building. It is obviously impossible to build a structure of the capacity originally contemplated with the money available. One of the major objectives of the building is to accommodate an increase in the enrollment of the Chicago Professional Colleges. Discussion with the Illinois Budgetary Commission and with Committees of the General Assembly pointed to increasing the first-year classes in the College of Medicine by 34 students, in the College of Dentistry by 20, and in the College of Pharmacy by 75, plus students in nursing and additional graduate students in all colle*ges. An adjustment in these enrollment estimates is unavoidable in view of the increased cost of construction. The Vice-President in charge of the Chicago Professional Colleges, with the concurrence of the Deans of these Colleges,