MU engineering building gets millions for renovation

The engineering building on Mizzou’s campus will soon be getting a facelift. Governor Nixon toured Lafferre Hall Thursday morning, and shortly after, he and others voted to issue a $38.5 million bond to renovate parts of the more than 120-year-old building.

The money comes from a bill passed by the state legislature, with the intent to renovate and repair public higher education buildings such as Lafferre Hall. “The deficiencies — Well, there many, many. We need a new roof, desperately. We need a new electrical system. We need area for research,” said Marty Walker, director of administrative services for the College of Engineering.

Chancellor Loftin said this project is also important for Missouri. He said the state desperately needs engineers and this project will help attract and teach future engineers. “We need to step up to the plate and turn out more engineers that can serve this state’s economic needs today, and this particular action today helps, both gives our current students what they need and supports the states economy in a very real way,” said R. Bowen Loftin, Chancellor of University of Missouri.

The particulars of the renovation plan are still being worked out. Chancellor Loftin said he does intend to fast-track the renovation and expects the entire project to be completed in about two years.