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
