Student Government Associ-ation senators discussed campus construction projects at Wednesday's meeting with Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of facilities planning and management.
During the meeting, Kenyon discussed projects that are in progress, explained jobs scheduled to start soon and addressed construction rumors.
Sen. Jeremy Kalvaitis, who recommended Kenyon address the senate, said he thought the senators should be informed about the construction that students are dealing with on a daily basis. The presentation came only a week after Kenyon rejected the safety committee's idea to add a bicycle lane on McKinley Avenue.
Kenyon began with the renovation of the Ball Communica-tions Building and the erection of the new Music Instruction Building at the corner of McKinley and Riverside avenues. Kenyon said the new additions to the Communications Building made it "the best I've seen in the nation."
Kenyon said the Music Instruction Building will be completed in the spring of 2004. He added that classes will not begin there until the following fall, but some programs may be held during the summer.
He then explained projects that are scheduled to start soon. Kenyon showed a drawing of the proposed McKinley Parking Structure just south of the new Music Instruction Building. The proposed model will have roughly 600 parking spaces and construction will begin this spring. Kenyon said the project will be paid for by the revenue generated from parking fines and permit fees.
"This parking structure is not being funded by tuition or the state," Kenyon said.
Kenyon then discussed the proposed McKinley Project. The project, which would call for a complete renovation of McKinley Avenue between Bethel and Riverside Avenues, is still in the negotiation phase. He also said all of the construction cannot be completed over the course of one summer.
"We will try to keep one lane open during the school year," Kenyon said.
The proposed Communication and Media Building, which would join Robert Bell and the Ball Communications Building, was also mentioned. Kenyon said that project would cost approximately $21 million dollars but did not give a time line.
Senators were also able to ask questions after the presentation. Among the topics brought up were football stadium renovations and a rumored Student Center between the Art and Journalism Building and Teachers College.
Kenyon said the football stadium changes, which have been in the works for a number of years, are still being debated.
"When and if it happens," Kenyon said. "It will be privately funded."
As for a new Student Center, Kenyon said that was still in the fund-raising phase. He said the rumored location is accurate, but there is not a "tremendous amount of support" from potential donors. He said the student senators would "unfortunately have started their lives" before the project is completed.
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