By Jeff Murphy,
December 18, 2015
WARRENSBURG, MO – As the University of Central Missouri further enhances its science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education capabilities through renovation
of the Wilson C. Morris Science Building (WCM), an important step to move the project
forward took place Dec. 11 as the Board of Governors awarded a contract to McCownGordon
Construction in Kansas City, Mo., to serve as construction manager.
Under the agreement, McCownGordon will receive $35,000 for the Preconstruction Phase
of the project, and will be paid 2.75 percent of the guaranteed maximum price for
the project. The university plans to have design and construction documents completed
by February 2016, and construction work will begin in May 2016. McCownGordon will
work with the university and Gould Evans Associates, the contracted architectural
and engineering firm from Kansas City, to evaluate and consult on the construction
project program, phasing schedule, and budget. McCownGordon also will provide preliminary
cost estimates and development of potential subcontractors and suppliers, and provide
construction phase services.
UCM President Charles Ambrose said the W.C. Morris Science Building is a critical
part of providing a STEM education at UCM, and the university is looking forward to
working with both McCownGordon and Gould Evans on the project. Both of these companies
were key partners in the construction of the largest capital building project in the
university’s history, The Crossing – South at Holdn, a 325-bed mixed-use facility
which opened in fall 2015.
In renovating the WCM, the university benefits from House Bill 19, which was signed
into law by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon earlier this year. The measure provides $12.2
million for renovation inside the four-story building, which is located on the west
side of the university quadrangle. Although some laboratories and classrooms have
been renovated in recent years, this would be the first major renovation of the facility
since it opened in 1968.
The $12.2 million in state appropriations will provide a partial renovation focusing
on increased utilization and safety of existing teaching laboratories and classrooms
in chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology and earth science. This initiative will
enhance the teaching-learning environment by improving the infrastructure, classroom
and laboratory spaces to serve the changing needs of today’s science and mathematics
programs.
Due to extensive repairs that are needed, some of the original laboratory spaces used
for both teaching and student research have been temporarily taken off line. Such
issues have resulted in a reduced number of seats available for both the general education
courses and the major specific courses in math, science and teacher preparation.
Renovation of the WCM will increase building utilization, safety and efficiency of
space. It will enable the university to not only increase graduation rates, but will
contribute to increased numbers of graduates in professional applied sciences and
technologies, and STEM areas, and help better prepare mathematics and science teachers
who can work in Missouri. Improvements to WCM will be dispersed across all four floors
and encompass the following:
-Cabinetry, flooring, lighting, and support infrastructure of laboratories and classrooms
will be reconfigured, modernized, and/or expanded;
-Safety utilization issues will be prioritized;
-Some staff and faculty offices and common spaces will be included as they impact
renovation of laboratories and classrooms; and
-Some renovation along with structural repairs will take place on the building exterior.
Chris Bamman, director of facilities, planning and operations, said the university
hopes to complete the WCM renovation project within the next two and one-half years.
Every effort will be made to improve the facility without greatly impacting student
learning that will be taking place at the same time renovation is underway.
In addition to work made possible through state funding, Bamman noted that the university
plans to conduct general repairs to the building envelope at a cost of $1.7 million;
renovate and provide accessibility upgrades to restroom facilities at approximately
$300,000; roofing replacement estimated at $1.1 million; and hazardous materials abatement
costing an estimated $250,000. Funding for these improvements will come from university
reserves and maintenance and repair funding.
