Visual arts complex, new dorms among projects
Colorado’s higher-education commissioners recently approved 217 construction projects for Colorado colleges and universities like CU.
The Boulder campus has 18 projects requested for construction or renovation.
“Parts of dorms could definitely use some work,” said Susan Schaefer, a sophomore economics and German major. “The bathrooms are really bad.” Taking this into consideration there will be huge changes to the bathrooms, while the job is being finished there will be portable toilet rentals throughout campus.
According to an Oct. 4 press release by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the five-year construction plan will cover fiscal year ’08-’09 through Fiscal Year ’12-’13.
Buildings slated for construction on the CU campus include a new visual arts complex and modern residence halls.
The new visual arts complex is one of CU’s highest priorities, according to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education project summary.
“It’s going to be a terrific addition to the CU campus,” said CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard. “We need a state of the art facility that will support the wonderful curriculum in the arts that we have.”
According to the project summary, the visual arts complex will house open classrooms, laboratories, studios and continuing education facilities.
“The new building will be a key part in diversifying the campus,” Hilliard said. “We are eager to see it move forward.”
The complex will house the art and art history departments as well as the CU Art Museum.
Other construction projects include renovations of Ekeley Science, Ketchum Arts and Sciences and Hellems and Guggenheim buildings.
Construction costs will be covered both by state and school funds, with 73 percent of the total cost supported by CU funds, the project summary states. A portion of student fees will also be allocated to the projects.
A list of prioritized projects will be submitted to the state legislature’s Capital Development Committee on Nov. 1 for final approval.
Visit for a complete list of the buildings scheduled for construction.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Katherine Spencer at Katherine.a.spencer@thecampuspress.com.
