Paul StinsonThe Wisconsin State Building Commission (SBC) has approved $370 million for 16 construction projects, several of which will go up for bid in 2024.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) will build a $285 million indoor football practice facility, one of the largest approved state projects. The facility will replace the existing Camp Randall Sports Center and McClain Athletic Facility. The space will house a 100-yard synthetic turf field, a strength and conditioning center, team meeting rooms, a dining hall, sports medicine rooms, locker rooms and offices. The university will complete the project by December 2026.
The SBC will allocate $7.4 million to renovate Birge Hall, Brogden Hall and the Integrative Biological Research Building at UW-Madison. The project’s scope calls for addressing HVAC deficiencies, updating finishes, replacing doors with water-resistant alternatives and building dirty and clean cage washrooms in each structure. Construction will begin July 2024.
UW-Madison will use $14.5 million to modernize the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory-Barron (WVDL-Barron). Plans include building separate Biosafety Level 2 and 3 labs (BSL -2 and BSL -3) to study infectious agents or toxins.
BSL -2 and -3 labs typically include equipment for decontaminating laboratory waste, such as incinerators and autoclaves. WVDL-Barron was designated as a core laboratory in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Animal Health Laboratory Network in 2022.
Wisconsin will also direct $7 million to help build a Regional Forensics Science Center on the Northcentral Technical College campus in Wausau. The 19,981-square-foot facility will serve as a resource for medical examiner and coroner offices statewide. The project’s scope includes landscaping, parking and a Memorial Garden.
The college will use the facility to offer training and education opportunities for coroners and medical examiners, emergency medical and health services providers, law enforcement and district attorney offices. The project will cost approximately $14.8 million. Wausau is 143 miles north of Madison.
Other projects include replacing a hangar door at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Madison, renovating the Health Science Laboratory and building a Public Entrance Visitor Station at Potawatomi State Park.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. can provide information on contract opportunities, plus existing and future government funding. For more information, contact research@spartnerships.com.
Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin
