Delay is urged on new UNLV science building

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The chairman of the state Public Works Board suggested Wednesday that the University of Nevada, Las Vegas may need to postpone construction of its proposed $75 million science, engineering and technology building.

Chairman Sean Carnahan said he did not have a "warm, fuzzy feeling" about the cost of the project and wondered if it should be delayed eight months to a year so that final design and construction documents can be completed.

Carnahan said he was worried about cost overruns such as those that occurred at UNLV's Lied Library and the state veterans home in Boulder City. The veterans home opened in June, two years late and $1 million over budget. The library was a year late and $600,000 over budget.

The discussion came as the Public Works Board heard requests from the University and Community College System and other state agencies for construction projects that total $589.5 million, of which $378.1 million would come from the state.

The state treasurer's office estimates only $74 million will be available in the next two years in new borrowing authority for the state. State Budget Director Perry Comeaux also said there would not be any extra cash available to pay for the proposed construction projects.

UNLV President Carol Harter and Vice President Juanita Fain told Carnahan the engineering building as planned can be built with the money available. A delay would mean higher costs due to inflation, they said.

In addition, Harter said, the building would enhance the state's economic development program and provide research that would help business in Nevada. She said a delay might mean the state would lose scientists and students.

The board was to continue to take testimony today and will return Sept. 17 to make its recommendations to Gov. Kenny Guinn for inclusion in his budget for the 2003 Legislature.

The university system is requesting the biggest budget: $337.3 million, with $157.3 million needed from the state.

That was followed by the Human Resources Department requesting $111.4 million, and the Corrections Department, $31.2 million.

The top priority for university system is for $7.6 million for furniture and equipment for buildings at Community College of Southern Nevada, Nevada State College in Henderson and Truckee Meadows Community College.

The 2001 Legislature authorized $8.8 million for design and infrastructure work on the UNLV engineering building. The school is asking the state for another $41.2 million and it intends to raise $25 million in donations. It is the second priority on the state Board of Regents' building list.

Carnahan said recommending the $41.2 million now for the building seems premature.

The infrastructure work could continue and it might mean only a delay of eight months to a year, he said.

The third priority for the university system is a $19.5 million health sciences building for CCSN on its Charleston campus. Remington said the college has a mandate to double the enrollment of nursing students.

The fourth priority for the university is a $6.8 million addition for UNLV student services. Harter said student services are scattered throughout the campus.

"We desperately need one-stop shopping," Harter said.

Harter also proposed a building for the Greenspun Urban Affairs College, to cost $28 million. Harter told the board the Greenspun family, which publishes the Las Vegas Sun, has pledged 40 percent of the cost up to $12 million. It is 14th on the priority list of the regents.

The six academic units of the Urban Affairs college are dispersed across the campus. They include the Hank Greenspun School of Communications, Department of Counseling, Department of Criminal Justice, Department of Environmental Studies, Department of Public Administration and School of Social Work.

The Public Works Board also heard a plea from the state prison to relocate the execution chamber. It is on the third floor of the old prison, built more than 80 years ago in Carson City.

The chamber was built more than 40 years ago for use of lethal gas. Nevada now uses lethal injection for executions.

Glen Whorton, assistant director for the Corrections Department, said the area is unsuitable. It is poorly ventilated and too small, he said, and should be moved to the first floor to be more secure.

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