Gilmore frees up another $2.2 M

By Dan Heuchert

Days after authorizing the University to spend some $64 million in private funds on several capital projects, Gov. Jim Gilmore announced in late June that he would restore $2.2 million in capital funds frozen during the budget tussle.

The lion’s share, $1.4 million, will go to the University’s College at Wise for storm-water management and infrastructure improvements.

U.Va. will receive $800,000 to complete the planning and design phase of renovations to the studio art facilities in Fayerweather Hall. Another $20,000 will allow the University to complete construction on water chillers to serve the eastern sections of the Grounds.

“We are grateful to Governor Gilmore for releasing some general funds for important University and College projects. The funds released for studio art/Fayerweather Hall allow us to complete the planning for Fayerweather and get through schematic design on studio art,” said Colette Sheehy, vice president for management and budget.

The money had been held up when Gilmore, unable to agree with the General Assembly on a package of mid-term amendments to the current two-year state budget, ordered state capital projects frozen.

Gilmore’s latest action, announced June 22, leaves frozen roughly $19 million in capital funds that were to have been funded by tax money. Of that total, $8.6 million was to have gone toward beginning construction of U.Va.’s new studio art building; $7 million to construction of its planned special collections library; another $3.3 million for a maintenance reserve; and just over $400,000 for the College at Wise.