Purdue News

April 12, 2002 Purdue trustees OK forest research center, other projects WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Board of Trustees today (Friday, 4/12) approved more than $6 million in building contracts and equipment purchases, including construction of a $3.7 million forestry research center. The trustees approved contracts of $1.8 million to purchase new student flight instruction aircraft and $1.5 million for an audiovisual system for the Krannert School of Management's Jerry S. Rawls Hall. Board members also authorized hiring an architect to plan an $8 million dining services consolidation project. Weigand Construction Co. Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded a $2.9 million construction contract to begin the $3.7 million Martell Forest Research and Education Center. Schmidt Associates Inc., of Indianapolis, provided architectural and engineering services for the center's research laboratory, two-bay greenhouse, equipment, conference facility and office space for 10 scientists and professional staff. Scientists and students from the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources will use the center to conduct tree research and analyze materials collected in laboratory field exercises. The project is funded through the John S. Wright Endowment Fund, established in 1964 to support forestry education and forest research. The trustees also authorized Scholer Corp., of Lafayette, Ind., to proceed with architectural and engineering planning for expansion and renovation of Windsor Halls' dining facilities. The $8 million project is part of the third phase of the $48 million residence halls food service master plan. The finished plan will consolidate 11 existing residence hall food service facilities into five regionalized dining courts positioned throughout Purdue University Residences. Windsor will offer a marketplace-style dining court, replacing the existing dining facilities in Warren and Vawter halls, two of the five-building Windsor residence hall complex. "The marketplace will bring dining rooms and preparation areas together in an open atmosphere, a modern concept that is preferred by students," said Wayne Kjonaas, vice president of physical facilities. The plan at this time is to leave the Wood Hall dining room open during the Warren-Vawter renovation so not all of Windsor's dining facilities will close during the project. Wood Hall is part of the Windsor Halls complex. The entire master plan project was approved by the trustees in 1999 and received state budget approval in 2000. Windsor Halls is scheduled to close its dining facilities for these renovations in May 2003 and reopen in early 2005. The trustees also approved contracts in excess of $1 million for two vendors: • New Piper Aircraft Inc., of Vero Beach, Fla., will supply the university with six new airplanes as part of the scheduled replacement process for the student flight instructional aircraft fleet. The last major fleet upgrade came in 2000 with the purchase of 14 Piper Warrior III aircraft. Under the $1.8 million contract, the university will receive two Seminole aircraft this year and a four Arrow aircraft in 2003. • Video Images Inc., of Indianapolis, was awarded a $1.5 million contract to supply and install an audiovisual system for Krannert School of Management's Jerry S. Rawls Hall classrooms and distance learning program. Writer: Grant Flora, (765) 494-2073; gflora@purdue.edu Sources: Kenneth Burns, executive vice president and treasurer, (765) 494-9705, kpburns@purdue.edu Wayne Kjonaas, vice president for Physical Facilities, (765) 494-8000, wkjonaas@purdue.edu James S. Almond, vice president of Business Services, (765) 494-9706; jsalmond@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page