Repository: UIHistories Project: UIS History 1969-1995 (Sangamon State Univ) [PAGE 30]

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There was a long delay in obtaining the release of the balance of the planning funds and construction funds. Although $8,704,600 was appropriated for FY73, these funds were not released for construction until January of 1974, approximately 18 months later. The reason for the late release was said to berelatedto cashflowproblems in the state. And to make matters worse, during the period of this delay, the rate of construction cost escalated approximately 1% per month. Shortly after release of the construction funds, it was obvious that local officials were successfully mounting their effort to receive a supplemental appropriation for expanding the project to include a performing arts center. There were mixed feelings on campus about this. On one hand it was felt that aperforming arts center would be a great asset to the university and to the community. On the other hand the university was struggling to get its permanent campus built and this major change was causing long project delays and severe budget problems because it was generally under funded and construction costs were escalating. One university administrator referred to the project addition as an "albino Pachyderm". The president, however, thought the auditorium would be a good long term fiualityforthe university and the community, even if it was causing severe complications to an already difficult construction budget. A meeting took place during April 1974 between members of SMEAA, the architect, the Governor and the Executive Director of the Capital Development Board who decided to expand the project ana S e i i d the CDB appropriation bill to include an additional $2,725,000 for the project. During this n e T d S & c t design and delay, a number of often heated discussions were held about the project K f o S ' l n the process, in an effort to reduce cost, the university removed certain areas of ^ g S S spSe The university, however, stood firm on further reducing the amount of academic E S S o k r t e S folly complete the auditorium portion of the buildmg. Because U appearedthat ttas E ? v S imminent a decision was made to construct the building in two stages. If this were done, • £ S on the first stage would be eliminated. Accordingly, the basic structure of the "V" wing portion of the building was designed, bid, and construction began. It was also decided that a mechanical construction package which Lokens Library along withrelatedpiping, cool.ng tower, ^ W could be bid separately also to ^ ^ ^ J ^ ^ ^ S additional < f ^ J ^ ™ J % £ & S a t e Sal * ^ ™ ^ £ £ £ ^ j S ^ W T A n S S U substructure design and bidding of the final

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