Plans for new building next to library proposed

University administrators are laying the groundwork for a $46 million technology and life sciences building on the southwest side of Harvey Lake next to the Robert R. Muntz Library, Gregg Lassen, vice president of business affairs said.

Lassen said he wants to build the new facility as an upgrade to current biology labs in the Hudnall Pirtle Roosth and Biology Education and Psychology buildings.

“The labs right now are sort of in the basement and they’re high school-quality,” Lassen said.

Lassen pitched the project to legislative staffers who visited the campus last week for the Vicente Fox speech. He said if he can get the legislature excited, it might increase the ease of funding.

He said funding would come from Tuition Revenue Bonds, allocated in every-other legislative session.

This coming session would be considered an off-session regarding TRAs, but Lassen said growing support for the building could help push the project through.

“Right now it’s an ‘if’ and a ‘maybe,’” Lassen said.