Revised Conceptual Design

The Board approved a revised conceptual design for the River Campus and a funding structure for the project. The revised conceptual plans by Jacobs Facilities, Inc., follow preliminary conceptual designs developed by then Sverdrup/CRSS, now Jacobs Facilities, Inc., and approved by the Board three years ago. The newly approved designs are similar to the previous drawings except for the placement of a performance hall and River Campus Museum.

Dr. Pauline Fox, vice president for administration and enrollment management, said that under the revised conceptual design, the River Campus Museum is now to be located on the west side of the campus near the future extension of Fountain Street. The performance hall will now be just south of the museum, and the two facilities will share lobby space.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2003 and should take about three years. Completion is expected in about 2006.

Fox said that during the past three years, there has been considerable discussion about the placement of the River Campus Museum. She said that with the Museum location now decided in the context of the whole conceptual plan, part of the scope of work within the three-year grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, including detailed architectural planning for the River Campus Museum, can now be completed.

Funding Structure

In related action, the Board approved a $35.6 million funding structure for the River Campus that satisfies a city ordinance requiring that the University and the state have committed sufficient funds to complete the acquisition, construction, furnishing and equipping of the joint facilities. Under the proposal, the city's commitment will be funded by the University's issuing of Series A fixed rate 20-year term bonds, which will be repaid by city hotel-motel restaurant tax revenue. The balance of the construction costs will be funded by a University issue of Series B variable rate 30-year term bonds, which will be backed by fiscal 2000 and 2001 state appropriations, the Southeast Missouri University Foundation and the Board of Regents.

Dr. Ivy Locke, vice president for business and finance, said the Series B bonds will be redeemed monthly when appropriations and donations are received. The amount of the Series B issue for the University and Foundation commitment of $10.15 million will be reduced by donations on hand when the bonds are issued. About $6.7 million in pledges and donations already are on hand, Locke said.

The cooperative financing structure calls for $16.55 million from the State of Missouri, $8.9 million from the City of Cape Girardeau, and $10.15 million from the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

Bond Resolution

In another related matter, the Board approved a resolution declaring its intent to reimburse certain project costs with future bond proceeds. This resolution will allow the University to reimburse project costs with bond proceeds once the University receives permission from the state to the sell bonds. Locke added, however, that bonds will not be issued, and the University will not enter into a contract to sell the bonds without further approval from the Board of Regents.

Missouri Visitor's Center Affiliation

The Regents today also approved the University's application for certification to be submitted to the Missouri Division of Tourism Commission to build a Missouri Visitor's Center at the River Campus. The application is being submitted in cooperation with the City of Cape Girardeau, the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. If approved, the 5000-square-foot Visitor's Center would be located adjacent to the River Campus Museum.

Architectural and Engineering Services Contract

In other action, the Regents accepted a revision to an earlier contract with Jacobs Facilities, Inc., for architectural and engineering services for the River Campus project at a cost of $3.65 million. Under the contract, Jacob Facilities, Inc., will serve as the architect of record for the project, contracting with several consultants for additional services. Included in this team are Ove Arup for acoustics and mechanical services, Theatre Project Consultants as consultants for performance spaces, Lord Cultural Resources as consultants for the museum, Kwame for assistance with cost estimating, and Koehler and Zambrana for civil engineering services.

Today's contract replaces a $3.87 million contract approved by the Regents two years ago with Jacobs Facilities, Inc., then Sverdrup/CRSS, for architectural and engineering services, Fox said. The new funding structure approved today by the Regents allowed for a revision to the earlier contract. The new contract includes fees for landscape architecture as well as design fees for furniture, fixtures and equipment, she said.

Under the new contract, Brent Byers, Jacobs' design lead, will provide architectural consulting services for the River Campus performance spaces in consultation with Theater Projects Consultants staff.

Construction Management Contract

In a related matter, the Board also today approved a revision to a contract with BSI, Inc., for construction management services for the River Campus project.

BSI was chosen two years ago from a group of three construction management firms invited to campus to make proposals for the River Campus. Fox said BSI will provide several key services for the University.

"A construction manager provides value engineering, seeking alternative construction methods and materials that will reduce costs," she said. "A construction manager provides additional representation for the University in dealing with architects and contractors, will develop bid packages and provide evaluation of bids."

Fox said the construction manager also will provide on-site supervision throughout construction of the project and will assist in finalizing contractor payments and completing the project.

BSI, Inc., a St. Louis firm, is responsible for a number of major construction projects, including the Washington University Psychology Building, the University of Missouri Natural Resources Building, the Monsanto Research Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and renovation of the Grandel Square Plaza Theatre and the Sheldon Theater in St. Louis.

The River Campus is a cooperative project with the State of Missouri, the City of Cape Girardeau, private donors and the federal government to be constructed on the 16.6-acre St. Vincent's College and Seminar property adjacent to the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. The campus will include a large performance hall, a recital hall, a regional history and art museum, rehearsal rooms, theatres, dance and art studios, classrooms and related facilities.

Holt Appointed to River Campus Board of Managers

Providing oversight for the River Campus is a Board of Managers, comprised of three representatives appointed by the City Council and three by the University. Today, the Regents appointed Dr. Dennis Holt, vice provost and executive director of the Southeast Missouri Educational Consortium, to serve as a representative of the University on the River Campus Board of Managers. Holt replaces Jerrianne Wyman, who was recently reappointed but who requested to step down due to her increased business responsibilities. Holt's term begins Jan. 1 and expires Dec. 1, 2005.