The new five-year physical plant initiative builds upon the framework set by the initial $500 million capital plan announced in 1997. That plan – funded through a $200 million, five-year pledge from the state in addition to funds from philanthropy and self-supporting operations – is nearing completion.

The plan continues Penn State’s aggressive commitment to provide the highest quality facilities and campus environment at all 24 University locations.

The 32 projects across the state in design or construction today have a cumulative budget of $471.4 million, with approximately $120 million of that funding being released as part of the new five-year capital plan. The University-wide construction budget for fiscal year 2001-2002 is $287.5 million. Future budgets are: $83.1 million in fiscal 2002-2003; $51.3 million in fiscal 2003-2004; $62.6 million in fiscal 2004-2005; and $165.3 million in fiscal 2005-2006.

Among the major University Park projects currently under construction or scheduled to begin this summer are:

·                The $93 million Beaver Stadium renovation and expansion project, which will add roughly 11,000 seats. General improvements to the stadium include improved entrances and circulation, an improved exterior façade, as well as additional restrooms and concession areas, Other features include an all-sports museum, upgraded locker and media rooms, 60 private suites, and 4,000 club seats with access to a large lounge area. The project will be completed this summer.

·                A chemistry building and life sciences building, that will be connected via a span over Shortlidge Road north of Thomas Building and south of Eisenhower Auditorium. The state-of-the-art facilities will be more than 340,000 square feet of classrooms, teaching laboratories, and meeting spaces and offices combined. The total construction budget for these two buildings is $104.7 million.

·                The School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) building, an innovative 170,000 gross square-foot structure that will serve as both an academic and an architectural bridge. The structure will span multiple learning disciplines by serving as home for information sciences and technology and computer science and engineering, and it will provide a pedestrian-safe link between east and west campus at University Park. Construction budget, including infrastructure and site improvements, is $61.8 million.

·                The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture building, a 71,000 square foot facility that presents cutting-edge technology and environmental sustainability. The building will house, classrooms, studios and laboratories, an amphitheater, and social spaces. The project has a budget of $26.5 million.

In addition, two projects in progress will have traffic and parking implications over the next several months. As part of the construction of the chemistry and life sciences buildings, Shortlidge Road will be converted into a pedestrian mall between Pollock and Curtin Roads. Also, to compensate for the removal of the Pollock Road campus entrance at North Atherton Street due to the construction of the IST building, Curtin Road will be extended to Atherton Street. The new road will go through the existing parking lot red E – which will be converted into a much larger parklet area to enhance the natural area surrounding the Nittany Lion Shrine – and along the north side of Recreation Building.

These traffic modifications have a combined budget of $5.6 million.

For a full list of projects at University Park and maps of construction areas, go to http://www.opp.psu.edu/cplan.

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Contact:  Tysen Kendig, Department of Public Information, (814) 865-7517 or tysen@psu.edu.