Thursday, September 11, 2003
USI Board of Trustees reviews library design
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Library floor plans, elevations, and cost estimates presented by Edmund L. Hafer and Associates of Evansville in partnership with Woollen Molzan Partners of Indianapolis were reviewed by the USI Board of Trustees at the regular board meeting held at USI September 10. The new library structure will be located south of the current library. Described as adding to the overall appearance of the campus, it is expected to have four floors and a basement making it the tallest building on campus. The design includes stacks on three levels, circulation area, reference desk, archives and special collections, large reading rooms, computer labs, and 30 study-group rooms. A coffee shop, which will offer casual study space and an area for students to gather with friends, will be located on the first floor. The cost estimate is $27.5 million. The new library will retain the name David L. Rice Library, so named in 1992 to recognize USI’s first president. The original library opened in 1971 when enrollment was 2,600 students. The space vacated by the library move will be used for University Center expansion. The construction of the new Rice Library will eliminate the University Center Parking Lot south of the existing library building. The University Center Lot is vital to serving University visitors and guests who attend functions in the University Center and elsewhere on campus. Board members approved proceeding with planning and construction of a parking garage near the University Center to provide parking spaces to replace those lost in the University Center Parking Lot. Plans are for the garage to provide for parking for 200 vehicles and to house the University’s Security Office. The building where the Security Office is now located will be removed in the construction of the parking garage. Estimated cost for the parking garage project is $4 million. Costs will be covered by bonding authorization in the amount of $3 million approved by the General Assembly and parking system revenue. The plans will now be presented to state agencies for approval. Expected completion date is spring 2005 for the parking garage. |
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