Jefferson City multi-purpose room sees design changes

The multimillion dollar project to construct a new Parks and Recreation multipurpose center and athletic center for Lincoln University saw some design changes after architects realized they had gone over budget.

Head architect Cary Gampher told Parks and Rec commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting they were about $900,000 short so he had made changes to a design commissioners saw in early June.

In order to come just under budget, architects cut about 11,000 square feet from the plan.

The main level of the proposed center saw a major design change, while the upper level lost an outdoor deck to the cut.

Because the architects took some time redesigning in order to come under budget, the project is behind schedule but Gampher said they should still have construction started by winter and the center should still be finished by 2016.

The Commission said it did not have a problem with the new arrangement. Parks and Recreation Director Bill Lockwood said the new design is workable.

The commission approved the cut to the square footage but agreed there could be more cuts to save money because they are just under budget and wanted to have a more comfortable gap.

They suggested taking some parking out of the plan.

Gampher said they could now send the plans to consultants to make sure the new design works and get started on other phases of the project.