We have five projects that have been recommended to receive Bond funding for FY2002. These projects will help allow us to continue our mission as the state's flagship institution of higher learning. Below is a brief summary of the projects. We are gratified that the Legislative Analyst concurs with the Governor's Allowance.

COMCAST CENTER Proposed Budget--Arena Proposed Budget--Infrastructure The University of Maryland requests the continuation of construction funding approval for the Comcast Center Project. The funding request for fiscal year 2002 totals $57.2 million ($25.3 million State, $26.6 million University and $5.3 million the State Highway Administration (SHA)). The project budget remains at its estimated value of $125.3 million. The University is to raise a total of $46.9 million with SHA financing approximately $17.8 million for related infrastructure costs. The project received a prior appropriation of $5.7 million for the initial study and to begin the design, and $57.8 million in FY 2001 to begin construction. Construction is to be completed in late 2002. The center will be placed into the hillside, taking advantage of the natural slope which will facilitate design of the west end's continuous seating, making it reminiscent of that in Cole Field House. Other significant features of Comcast Center include: The center will be a climate-controlled, multipurpose facility which may be used year round for a wide variety of events to serve both the University community and the citizens of the State of Maryland. The center will be a student activity center and will be the new home for the department of Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) and 22 sport teams, including men's and women's basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, softball and baseball, etc. A 7,000 square foot Academic Support and Career Development Center for the student athletes includes classrooms, tutorial, computer laboratory and study spaces necessary to help the student athletes excel academically. The enhanced venues for practices and competition along with improved training facilities for various sports will help fulfill the Title IX, Gender Equity commitment. Four entry points with one entrance being designated solely for use by students. A "Walk of Fame and History (Hall of Fame)" will utilize the center's structure as a back drop to present and feature the accomplishments of notable Maryland athletes and teams. "Heritage Hall," a special facility with a view of the basketball court where groups can gather before or after games and which may be used for banquets, meetings or presentations. Concession stands are placed strategically on each level eliminating the impediment of "traffic flow" on the concourses and making the concessions more accessible to the fans. Abundant restroom facilities are throughout, with the quantity meeting current codes. Views of the College Park campus are available from the Comcast Center's southern terrace. Well-equipped training facilities will enable visitors the opportunity to observe the athlete's routines. The center will comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). There are approximately 170 wheelchair and companion seat locations throughout the seating bowl. The main court may be divided into three courts to allow for summer camps and other athletic practices. On game days students seats will surround the court to create an energetic, collegiate atmosphere and a home court advantage for the Terrapins. The second gym has seating for 1,500 and will be used for smaller competitions such as wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball and other athletic practices. The center will become one of the most visible facilities in our State both in terms of the number of people who visit in person and those who will visit through watching our games on television. A first-class, state-of-the-art facility will be consistent with the image of the University. Project Update The project is progressing and is on schedule to make the anticipated substantial completion date of October 2002, in time for the first basketball game. The project began construction in May of 2000. As of December 30, 2000 the project is 14% complete. 11,000 cubic yards of concrete have been placed. 150,000 cubic yards of earth have been moved. All sediment and erosion control and water quantify and quality control measures, as required for construction have been installed. The underground mechanical and electrical systems continue to be installed. The first elevated slab was placed December 8th. The raker beams, the beams to hold the precast seating risers continue to be installed. The precast seating risers are due to arrive on site in April/May of 2001, with the structural steel for the roof system in May/June of 2001. The Archeological report, completed prior to the start of the work, indicated no archeological artifacts were to be found. Farm Road, a new road to MD-193 was installed during this past summer. Two major parking lots were completed prior to the start of school and turned over to the University for their use. The major road work (the straightening of and widening of Paint Branch Drive, and the re-construction work of MD-193 and other off campus roads) will begin in the spring of 2001. The budget is very tight. We have seen more unanticipated conditions than expected. In order to maintain the budget, the project continues to undergo value engineering, refinement, and reductions. To date the 18% MBE participation has been achieved. The project is on its way to meet its 20% MBE goal. RENOVATE CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR ENGINEERING BUILDING This request is for planning funds to renew and upgrade infrastructure in the 84,615 GSF/53,009 NASF Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building to better serve teaching and research needs, improve safety, and provide accessibility to people with disabilities. The facility was constructed in 1950. Various building systems are in need of replacement, including the electrical and HVAC systems, which are in poor condition and do not meet the requirements of modern laboratory facilities. Additionally, restroom and elevator upgrades are needed to provide accessibility to people with disabilities. Labs will be upgraded to provide modern safety features. RENOVATE HORNBAKE AND MCKELDIN LIBRARIES This is a request for planning and construction funds for phase V of a five-phased project to reorganize library facilities and services. This reorganization will consolidate the University's main library collections at McKeldin Library and better support undergraduate students. The work in McKeldin Library includes major shifts in the stack areas on the upper floors to accommodate the materials coming from Hornbake, improvements on the first and second floors to respond to the increased service requirements, provision of an electronic research room, expansion of automated reference services, and changes to allow McKeldin to be open 24 hours per day. At Hornbake the changes include renovating all floors to accommodate the special collection and archival storage coming from McKeldin, and renovating the HVAC system to accommodate the stringent temperature requirements of the University's special collections. The project originates from a Continuous Quality Improvement Council team report entitled, "Undergraduate Library Services in the 21st Century." This report reaffirms the centrality of the library to the continuing mission of the University, and proposes changes designed to improve its efficiency of operation and its effectiveness in applying technology for research and information retrieval purposes. This change eliminates the now outmoded split between the University's undergraduate collections at Hornbake Library and graduate collections at McKeldin Library, allows for expansion of our electronic information and research capabilities, and reduces operating costs by merging many of the service desk functions at Hornbake into those at McKeldin. RENOVATE KEY AND TALIAFERRO HALLS The FY2002 request is for the second phase of construction funds to make critically needed improvements to the second and third floors of Taliaferro and Francis Scott Key Halls for the Department of History. The upper floors of Taliaferro Hall require electromechanical improvements including central air conditioning and substantial code and condition correction work including installation of an elevator. The upper floors of Key require renewal of mechanical, electrical and architectural systems, and finishes. Taliaferro and Key Halls were both built in 1932, with an addition to Taliaferro constructed in 1964. Both buildings are located in the historic district of the campus with Key located directly on McKeldin Mall, a core academic area of the University. With the exception of the recent renovation of the first floor of Taliaferro, few improvements have been made to these buildings since they were constructed. This project will enhance the space for our highly regarded History Department whose outstanding scholarship efforts such as the Freedman and Southern Society project have recently received national acclaim. MFRI SOUTHERN MARYLAND RTC This is a request for equipment funds to modernize and expand the MFRI training facility to serve emergency personnel in southern Maryland. The project includes construction of a new administration/classroom building, training props (flammable gas, smoke maze, forcible entry, etc.), sanitation facilities, enclosure of an open pole building, renovation of the existing burn building, site work and demolition of abandoned structures.

Click here for larger photo of Comcast contruction. Click here to see Comcast Center interior rendering Click here to see Comcast Center exterior rendering