Regents must trim building wish list

Monday, June 7, 2004 | 10:03 a.m.

ELKO -- The university Board of Regents faced some tough choices Saturday on its construction wish list last week, made even worse by steel prices that have risen 65 percent in recent months.

But interim Chancellor Jim Rogers told the regents the top priorities must be the Nevada State College at Henderson and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The various campuses within the University and Community College System of Nevada have asked for $315.3 million in construction projects, but Rogers said he expected the state will support only $100 million to $115 million.

Rogers told the regents Saturday he is exploring other options to meet the needs, such as lease-purchase of some buildings.

The regents voted to have Rogers develop a priority list of construction projects and will approve or reject it at future meeting.

In his discussion with the regents, Rogers focused on the state college in Henderson and a building for the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.

Rogers said there is no chance of raising $9 million in private money to pay for the first building of the Nevada State College. He said the only alternative is to ask the 2005 Legislature to finance the full cost of the building.

The Legislature agreed to put up $13 million if the college raised $10 million in private funds. The school has collected only $1 million.

"I understand the great reluctance to go to the Legislature" for more money, Rogers said. "I understand some people felt they were misled."

He noted there were promises that $15 million to $100 million in private donations would come from Henderson. But they have failed to materialize.

"But we cannot let the Nevada State College go away," he said. Rogers said he has asked the city of Henderson to extend its $1-a-year lease for the current campus building, a converted vitamin factory on city land.

Regent Steve Sisolak said supporters of the community college pledged they would raise $50 million to get the college going. "Their feet should be put to the fire," Sisolak said.

College President Kerry Romesberg said the original design of the building was for 100,000 square feet. The size has shrunk to 80,000 to 83,000 square feet because the rise in steel and construction costs.

Regent Mark Alden said the two first priorities must be the Nevada State College and the Greenspun building. "We've got to nail down those two first with some certainty of cost."

Rogers told the regents that the Greenspun family has agreed to increase its contribution from $12 million to $16 million for the building that was estimated to cost $30 million. The Greenspun family publishes the Las Vegas Sun.

The building's cost will probably be $40 million because additional programs will be added. That would raise the state contribution from $18 million to $24 million.

And there is a "good chance" the Greenspun family will give an additional $9 million to fund programs at the college, he said.

Also on the "wish list" for construction projects is a $20 million building for automotive technology at the Community College of Southern Nevada. Sisolak said the car dealers and others in Southern Nevada have pledged at least $2 million and equipment.

Sisolak said there was a vital need for car mechanics and body shop workers, who can earn good wages. The industry also has plenty of jobs available.

Rogers said he will be meeting in the next few weeks with members of the state Public Works Board to get firm figures on how much each building will cost with the increased steel and labor costs.

UNLV President Carol Harter, noting there is a lack of money for projects, suggested looking at floating a state bond, much like the Clark County School District does, to pay for the costs. This would be above the money the state now allows for construction.