May 29, 2009

Purdue trustees OK contract to renovate Lilly Hall's west wing

The board also approved a $4.7 million annual contract with CIGNA to administer medical insurance coverage and services for faculty and staff.

The fifth phase of the Lilly Hall renovation project will address the main floor, including an upgrade to the supply air and exhaust systems. Electrical switchgear will be replaced, and the emergency generator will be upgraded for the building's entire west wing.

The previous four phases have renovated 58,400 of the 166,931 total gross square feet. Two additional phases will complete the ground and basement floors.

J.R. Kelly Co. of Lafayette received the contract for this portion of the work, which is scheduled to begin June 15. The scheduled completion date is Sept. 30, 2010.

The project is being financed through repair and rehabilitation bond proceeds.

Purdue used the Mercer consulting firm to conduct a bidding process to find an administrator for the medical benefits program. CIGNA was selected because its network of health-care providers is extensive and provides better cost savings than the current plan, said James Almond, vice president for business services and assistant treasurer. CIGNA currently handles short- and long-term disability plans for Purdue.

Funding will come from employee and employer contributions to the medical benefits program.

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-496-2296, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources: Robert McMains, vice president for physical facilities, 765-494-8000, remcmains@purdue.edu

James Almond, 765-494-9706, jsalmond@purdue.edu

Lawrence Fusaro, Office of University Architect, 765-494-8003, ljfusaro@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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