UM Curators to ask state for more than $250 million for capital projects
The UM Board of Curators will ask the state of Missouri for more than $250 million to fund four key capital projects.
The board approved the capital appropriations request for fiscal year 2019 at a teleconference meeting Thursday.
More than half of the $250 million would go towards projects at the University of Missouri. Vice President of Finance Ryan Rapp said the system will be asking for $150 million for Mizzou, part of that being for the renovation of buildings and the other portion for the construction the Translational Precision Medicine Complex, a new research facility at MU.
UM System President Dr. Mun Choi said the Translational Precision Medicine Complex is the top priority for the UM System. The university is limited to asking for money for one project per campus.
In addition to the $150 million for Mizzou, the university will ask for more than $33 million for the Spencer Chemistry & Biological Sciences Renovation phase II at UMKC, more than $55 million for the Schrenk Hall Addition and Renovation phase III at Missouri S&T and $16 million for space consolidation and infrastructure at UMSL.
Rapp said that over the past 15 years, state funding has been sporadic and there is a “significant likelihood” that the system will not get the funds they’re asking for. However, he stressed that it is important to make the request in case those funds become available.
State Rep. Chuck Bayse told ABC 17 News that state funds are limited, but they will do what they can in order to properly fund the University of Missouri.
“It’s going to be a tough year there’s no question about it, so we’ll advocate as best we can and get them the money that they need.”
Mark McIntosh, MU Vice Chancellor for Research, Graduate Studies and Economic Development, said the investment is critical, even at a time of financial challenges.
“We build a high quality facility, we attract high quality faculty, the students really want to learn in that kind of environment.”
