Pitt Property and Facilities Committee Approves $17.7 Million in Construction/Renovations

PITTSBURGH—The Property and Facilities Committee of the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees approved two renovation and construction projects totaling $17.7 million and extended three leases on research, clinical, and office space Thursday.

The projects are expected to create 95 construction jobs and 38 construction-related jobs and generate $35,728 annually in property taxes for local government, said committee chair John Pelusi in a report at the general board meeting Friday.

An air-supported, domed field is the highlight of the $13,226,080 project for the Trees Field Complex. The field will be built for soccer and lacrosse and will enable students to participate in games and recreation regardless of weather conditions. All three fields in the complex will be fitted with new synthetic turf, and a new security kiosk and maintenance/storage building will be built. New fencing and lighting will be installed, and restrooms will be renovated. The two smaller fields are also designated for intramural and club sports.

“Due to increased freshman enrollment and increasing diversity in sporting clubs, demand for athletic and intramural space has increased rapidly, and field space is at a premium,” said Pelusi. “This project is a result of collaboration between the Office of the Provost and Department of Athletics to maximize the availability of athletic and recreational areas on campus for both student-athletes and student intramural needs.”

The second project is a $4,501,760 renovation to convert lab and office space on the fifth floor of the west wing of Scaife Hall into state-of-the-art office space, consolidating student services, admissions and financial aid, student affairs, and other faculty and administrative offices in the School of Medicine.

The leases include:

• A five-year extension for 12,561 square feet of research space at Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave., Oakland, for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s Women’s Cancer Research Center;
• A five-year extension for 35,526 square feet of research, clinical, and office space in the Eye and Ear Institute, 203 Lothrop St., Oakland, for the School of Medicine’s Department of Otolaryngology and Department of Ophthalmology; and
• A five-year extension for 15,223 square feet of office space in the Heiber Building, 3500 Fifth Ave., Oakland, for the Research Conduct and Compliance Office.

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6/24/16/klf/jm