Facilities Planning Committee
Minutes
April 13, 2017
Chancellor Angle opened the meeting and indicated that the committee would be discussing the proposed plan
for Capital Outlay and Capital Maintenance projects going forward. The Chancellor indicated that he, Dr.
Ainsworth and Dr. Brown will be meeting next week with David Miller and others from UT System regarding the
FY 18-19 Capital Budget. It is important to look at the big picture regarding the staging of moves. Some
departments may end up moving twice, but we don’t want to move WUTC twice. If possible, we would like to
avoid using the Doctor’s Building as staging space because it is slated for demolition. The State Office Building is
in play as usable staging space. We just need to be sure all the floors are ready. Leadership is considering all the
necessary next steps, including where the funding is coming from. If some of the funding component is coming
from the gift side, we need to be sure to get Development to the table early. Dr. Angle indicated that he felt Dr.
Ainsworth was pleased with the way the funding strategy was aligning with the planned projects. There are a lot
of moving parts and this brief overview does not show everything that is being taken into consideration, but
ultimately the programmatic argument has to trump everything.
Dr. Brown asked the committee members to introduce themselves to make sure that everyone had met Kenny
Tyler, the new Director of Engineering and Planning Services in the Facilities Department. Kenny is a trained
architect that comes to UTC from UAB in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Angle stressed the importance of having Facilities
and Academic Affairs work closely together through this process due to the fact that the inventory of classrooms
and technology will be in flux during all the moves. Dr. Brown thanked the Deans for their perseverance through
these changes.
Facilities Project Updates – (Tom Ellis provided a handout of the updated Summary of Capital Budget Requests
for FY 17-18, which is attached to these minutes.)
Executive & Continuing Education Center – $1.2 million project at the Mapp Building. No designer yet, but there
will be a kick-off meeting this month when the designer will be assigned and that will allow us to provide a
better timeline for this project. Dr. Ainsworth had hoped it would be completed in time for Fall semester, but
that is just not possible. The target completion date is December 2017, but even that is ambitious. Facilities has
been working with both John Freeze and Michael Jones regarding this space. Kenny Tyler is involved in the
design and drawings, but Danny West will be the point of contact during construction. AMAC will be on the first
floor and Entrepreneurship will be on the second floor. Facilities originally thought this would be separate
projects, but it will be repackaged as one so the same designed can be used. UT System will allow us to expand
the scope of this project. Teresa Liedtka asked if the need for computer labs was being addressed and if there
would be space for ESL, since they currently use space in the library. Dr. Ainsworth indicated that there would
not be space in the Executive and Continuing Education Center for ESL, but Dr. Rausch advised the committee
that classes will be scheduled through Banner, which will improve the university’s use of available classroom
space.
Food Services – Planned improvements include the renovation of Crossroads and improving the outdoor seating
area, improvements to the UC Food Court, seating area, convenience store and the new offerings in West
Campus Housing. Tyler Forrest said Phase I would begin this summer on the Food Court and POD in the UC and
that Phase II would begin next summer on Crossroads and new concepts at West Campus Housing. Dr. Angle
asked Tyler to work with students regarding the seating area to get their input on how they utilize that space.
Linda Frost asked for clarification regarding the patio outside Crossroads by Guerry. She was under the
impression that it would be part of a future improvement for the Honors College. Students had indicated that
they did not want the university to give Aramark more space. Tyler assured the committee that the Aramark
plan would be a major improvement for Guerry and that he would have a separate meeting with Dr. Frost to
share those plans. He stressed that information was not deliberately being withheld from anyone, but that they
had been bound by contractual constraints not to release any information until the contract was finalized.
Engel Sports Complex – $7.7 million project with a construction start date of July 2017 and target completion
date of September 2018. Design is almost complete, then we can send it out for bid. Complex will include three
(3) multi-purpose fields with synthetic turn and two competition fields (one natural and one synthetic), sports
lighting, a walking tract for students and the community at large, a fieldhouse, parking lot, guard house with
security onsite, sand volleyball courts and space for the Community Garden at the Engel outfield wall. Teresa
Liedtka asked if there were plans to do anything to the stadium itself. Dr. Angle replied that we would see how
the area animates following the other improvements and then work with the Engel Foundation regarding any
work to the stadium. It is important to preserve the heritage of the stadium. Terry Denniston advised the
committee the we have been keeping the local community involved. Dr. Angle indicated that the right field wall
is a red flag and will need to be addressed.
Campus Site Improvements - $3.5 million project beginning May 2017 and slated to finish August 2018.
Continuing outdoor space development by making more pedestrian areas. Project also includes Heritage Plaza
upgrades, redeveloping Douglas to Heritage Plaza and past Guerry on Oak. The City is looking at placing a 4-way
stop at Douglas and Oak, and improving crosswalks.
Academic Classroom Buildings Renovation (Lupton and Fine Arts) - $37.9 million combined project. We are
waiting for confirmation of funding from State Legislature. Lupton is in the design phase. Construction is
estimated to begin in May 2018 and end in July 2019. The Fine Arts renovation is trailing alongside Lupton,
running about 1 year behind. We have to work out funding before we can work on the design. The hope is to
have it ready by June 2020. A question was raised as to whether the building could be vacated completely,
which would speed up the project. Dr. Angle inquired about events already scheduled to take place in the
building. Dr. Elwell indicated that arrangements could be made to use other nearby performance space.
Guerry Center Renovation - $5.4 million project to include a new entrance, new roof, and new fire sprinkler
system. The two upper floors have been vacated and abatement begins at the end of the month. Construction
should start in late June/early July. Linda Frost asked about an entrance to the patio from Guerry. Richard Brown
said they would share the design renderings with Linda Frost. Dr. Ainsworth added that the outdoor space in the
renderings was very attractive and Tyler Forrest reiterated that these renderings had not been shared earlier
due to contractual constraints.
Retrofit State Office Building (1st floor) - $2.6 million project to include three computer labs and six classrooms.
Project to be completed in December and ready for Spring occupancy.
West Campus Housing & Parking - $83 million project that is 50% complete. The second floor will be turned
over for furnishing in May 2018, with successive floors being turned over each week. Dr. Angle asked if there
was any revenue generating space on the first floor. Dee Dee Anderson replied that there was no room rental
space on that floor as it is all shared space with areas for Aramark and Barnes & Noble.
Tennis Court Relocation – This was slated to be completed in early April, but it will now be early June. The
building is dried in and accessible for tennis coaches from the arena side.
Holt Hall Improvements – $8.65 million project. The contractor is on board and Phase I is scheduled to be
completed in December 2017. Phase II should be completed in early summer 2019. Abatement is done.
Utility Distribution - $5.3 million project. Please refer to the campus map provided with the minutes. The areas
shown in red will be under construction in the next two years. The map also shows where work will be done to
bury lines underground. The pipes under Heritage Plaza are old, so the new ones will go around Grote. Replacing
the high temperature hot water lines will give us redundancy and the ability to re-route service. Dr. Brown
pointed out that you do not see any overhead wires on campus. This translates to millions of dollars saved, in
addition to making the campus more beautiful.
Health Services and Counseling Center Space - Dr. Ainsworth discussed creating integrated health services on
campus. Combine PT/OT, Sports Medicine and Student Health. He estimated that we would need 10,000 sq. ft.
(maybe 12,000 sq. ft.) to accommodate this. We would be able to place students there and have it count toward
their clinical credit, which would enhance our ability to recruit. Having space with ample parking is critical. They
are working with both Elizabeth O’Brien and Chris Smith.
McKenzie Arena Project Update – The Chancellor advised the committee that we need to raise $8 million for
this project. We have $3.6 million in the bank and he knows where we can get the last million. It involves a
naming opportunity. The total cost for the project will be $16-$18 million. The football program needs a locker
room and coaching space. Also one large meeting room that would allow us to host the Hall of Fame dinner and
other events on campus. The State will assign a designer when we are ready.
Capital Outlay Projects for 2018 – See handout.
1. Health sciences Building – Total cost of project is $95 million. There is a match component that would
lower that amount. This is a partnership with UTHSC.
2. Maclellan Renovation – Total cost of project is $25 million. Renovate pool side, create new campus
entrance. This project also has a match component to figure out.
3. Hunter Hall Renovation – Total cost of project is $15 million. Since this project includes updates to
finishes and restrooms, we may be able to do this as a capital maintenance project.
Capital Maintenance Projects for 2018 - See handout.
Danny West informed the committee that capital maintenance is very good on campus. We are waiting for State
government to approve and allocate funds for West Campus Housing and Fine Arts. Dr. Angle told the
committee that the Cadek improvements will be done all at once. Cadek has not been touched much.
Discussion regarding whether the Maclellan renovation should be a complete demolition and rebuild rather than
a renovation. Facilities will look at which option will be most cost effective. Dr. Angle discussed what a great
location Maclellan is. It would allow us to put a lot of student services in one location. We also need to consider
athletics. If it isn’t too expensive, new construction could give the university more efficient space.
Demolition and Moves
Doctor’s Building – slated for demolition. We can demolish the building in summer 2018 if it is not needed for
FAC surge space. If it is needed for surge space, then demolition would be in fall 2020. Dr. Elwell asked if people
could be moved to the State Office Building to speed up demolition of the Doctor’s building.
Frist Hall is also slated for demolition after Communications are relocated to Davenport in Spring 2020. We want
to avoid parking disruption during the academic year. Dr. Elwell advised the committee that the upcoming
accreditation visit could be moved to Fall.
Dr. Angle discussed a new parking garage on the east side of campus with a soccer field on top. Tyler indicated
that talks have begun between Erlanger, Siskin, CSAS and UTC.
Dr. Brown told the committee that the State is good at funding Capital Maintenance projects, but Capital Outlay
projects can take years to get approved. Top Capital maintenance renovation priorities for FY 18-19 include
Hunter Hall, Pfeiffer Hall, Brock Hall, Cadek Hall, and 801 McCallie Avenue. The question was raised about where
WUTC would be moving to. Dr. Angle replied that the offices would move to Davenport. Place WUTC next to the
TV studio. This would facilitate a closer tie between students in Communications and WUTC. Move the Art
Department to 801 McCallie Avenue.
Campus Master Plan
The previous Master Plan for UTC was approved in Summer 2012. The cycle is 10 years and THEC requires midcycle updates. The university used Perkins & Will for the original Master Plan and we have permission to use
them again for the update. This could save UTC thousands of dollars given this firm already has a database
inventory.
Biology / Holt Hall Renovation
The Faculty Senate recently passed a resolution for a new building for the Biology Department. The planned Holt
Hall renovation will net the department an additional 17,000 square feet (see Holt Hall Space Comparison
attached). It won’t be a new building, but it will be the closest thing to it.
Other Business
Facilities is requesting approval from the committee to use vacated pace in Cadek as surge space for the Fine
Arts project. Dr. Rutledge moved to approve and the motion was seconded by Dr. Elwell. Committee members
were all in favor, with none opposed.
Facilities is requesting approval from the committee to disclose demolition of the SE Center for the Arts to the
SBC. Dean Elwell moved to approve and the motion was seconded by Dee Dee Anderson. Committee members
were all in favor, with none opposed.
Facilities will be requesting SBC approval for an extension to the Arena video improvements to prevent the
project from expiring.
FY 16-17 Approved Amendments
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The Tennessee Room
Mapp Rehab Garden (donor project)
Fletcher Hall Classroom Upgrades – additional classrooms on the second floor completed
Executive and Continuing Education Center – We are expecting designer assignment this month. Teresa
Liedtka asked if the design would include lecture spaces because they currently use 25 lecture spaces in
the Library. Tom Ellis replied that this item was on the list.
Campus Branding – We have a designer. A question was raised regarding what the designers were told.
Will we be placing “UTC” on buildings? People say they do not know where the campus boundaries are
so we need to make this clearer. What is the timeline for this project? Tom Ellis indicated that this will
likely be done as two separate bids – South Campus first and then the State Office Building.
Dee Dee Anderson told the committee that she would like to start discussing the plan for the upstairs space in
the UC once Student Development has moved to Lupton.
Dr. Brown and Tyler Forrest will work on a financial plan.
Terry Denniston said that the next meeting of the Facilities Planning Committee would be called in the Fall to
give committee members a status update on all of these projects and she recommended that committee
members send a representative if they cannot attend.