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’92 bonds transformed Grounds
This
is the second in a series.
A decade ago, Virginians turned out in record numbers to endorse
a higher education bond issue by a 3-to-1 margin. This support
for construction and renovation reflected a keen understanding
of the need for additional space to provide better resources for
teaching and medical research – the kind that produces educated
citizens and cures for diseases. On Nov. 5, citizens are being
asked to make another investment in the future of higher education.
By
Matt Kelly
Michael
Levenson’s memories of Wilson Hall are not fond ones.
“It
was insupportable and unpleasant. There was gloom inside,”
said Levenson, chair of the English Department.
He
considers the 42,289-square-foot Bryan Hall, built as a result
of the 1992 bond referendum, a major boost toward a new era for
the English Department.
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On
Nov. 5, citizens will vote on whether to provide $846 million
in bonds for educational facilities around the state. That
total includes $68.3 million toward the following facilities
and improvements at U.Va. (the balance will be funded by
private gifts or through other sources):
•
MR-6 (Medical Research Building), a new structure for advances
in immunology, infectious diseases and cancer research:
$24.2 million (total cost: $50 million)
•
$14.3 million for a new Arts & Sciences building. Part
of the $125 million South Lawn Project, the building will
house 13 of the College’s 26 departments and will contain
digitally equipped classrooms serving the entire University.
•
A new nanotechnology and materials science and engineering
building to foster technological innovations: $7 million
(total cost: $34 million)
•
Renovation of teaching laboratories in Gilmer Hall to support
instruction in biology and psychology: $5.7 million
•
Renovation of Fayerweather Hall, a 19th-century gymnasium
now housing the McIntire Department of Art: $4.6 million
•
A new engineering/science chiller plant to provide cooling
for new construction and replace outdated CFC-based technology:
$4.8 million
•
Replacing the Campbell Hall chiller to increase capacity
for new construction and replace chronically malfunctioning
equipment: $1.6 million
•
Upgrading the Cavalier substation to increase the University’s
electrical capacity: $4.7 million
•
Constructing a regional storm-water management system for
McCormick and North Grounds, including restoring Meadow
Creek and constructing a pond near the new arena: $1.4 million.
1992
bond issue
The
statewide $613 million bond issue approved by voters in
1992 included the following funds for projects at U.Va.:
•
A major addition to Jordan Hall (medical research), $14.6
million from state bonds, $32.3 million total
•
An addition to the Chemistry Building, $8 million bonds,
$20.3 million total
•
The construction of Bryan Hall (English Department), $4.5
million bonds, $8 million total
•
Renovations to Old Cabell Hall, $3.6 million bonds
•
Renovations to Minor Hall (offices and classrooms), $2.1
million bonds.
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Its
construction allowed English, the University’s largest department,
to move into new facilities, attract top faculty and provide a
modern learning environment for its students.
Other
University projects that resulted from the ’92 bond referendum
included: a major addition to Jordan Hall for medical research
and education, $14.6 million from state bonds; an addition to
the Chemistry Building that allowed the department to significantly
expand its research, $8 million; construction of Bryan Hall, $4.5
million; renovations to Old Cabell Hall, $3.6 million; and renovations
to Minor Hall, $2.1 million.
The
1992 referendum provided $613 million in general obligation bonds
for construction projects at public colleges and universities
around the state. U.Va. received $35.8 million, which officials
supplemented with private money to fund about $67 million in new
construction and renovations. In addition to its direct impact
on the University and its students, the surrounding community
felt the ripple effect from the five building projects. Hundreds
of local construction jobs were added in the community, and it
was estimated that 30 new research labs would bring an additional
permanent annual payroll of $5.6 million.
“We
learned in 1992 that general obligation bonds generate jobs for
people who need them in tight times,” said University President
John T. Casteen III. “The fact that bond referendums do this
without raising taxes makes them doubly attractive today.”
Joseph
E. Grasso, associate dean of planning and operations at the College
of Arts & Sciences, said the facilities built with funds
from the 1992 issue allowed U.Va. “to increase its sponsored
research in the certain sciences and provided modern classrooms
and laboratories for undergraduate students.”
“One
of the state’s many problems is that — with the exception
of projects financed by bonds in ’92 — it has failed
to invest in buildings and major upgrades for more than 10 years.
Physical plants have grown old in that time, both because of the
lack of new investment and because the state failed to provide
proper funds for upkeep,” Casteen said. “This referendum
is a chance for voters to repair some of this damage, make clear
that adequate facilities are a priority for them, and also send
the message that Virginians care about the things that belong
to all of us, and perhaps especially for the colleges that they
have supported over the years.”
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