Several changes are underway for ASU’s Tempe campus after the Arizona Board of Regents approved the University’s capital development plan Friday.
ASU’s 2016 capital development plan includes two new and two previously-approved University projects that total $252.2 million, according to the meeting agenda.
The plan’s two new projects will initiate rehabilitation for the University’s Gammage Auditorium and build a third Biodesign building.
Gammage Auditorium renovations will expand restroom facilities with the addition of approximately 96 bathroom stalls and two elevators. The building’s existing restrooms will also be renovated.
The University’s third Biodesign building, Biodesign C, will be approximately 193,000 square feet to accommodate new laboratories for both wet and dry experiments, according to the meeting agenda.
The plan also includes two previously-approved projects to begin the third phase of renovations for the Sun Devil Stadium and build a student pavilion.
Construction of Sun Devil Stadium’s second renovation phase is in the works to increase stadium capacity, though ASU’s media relations team said details of the third phase have not yet been released
The 74,653 square foot student pavilion, located in the center of the Tempe campus, will provide seating for 1,200 in a multi-purpose event space for guest lecturers, musical shows, comedy acts and student productions.
The pavilion will be funded with $39.9 million in system revenue bond proceeds following student demand for increased service space, according to the meeting agenda.
USG Vice President of Services Marissa Fullford, a public service and public policy senior, said the approval is a success for students at ASU.
“(This pavilion) will provide a greater opportunity for students to engage with other students in the community,” Fullford said.
Fullford said having another space will help organize clubs on campus.
“We have nearly 1,000 clubs on campus … and sometimes programs have to be moved back or cancelled altogether because of a lack of event space,” she said. “Providing more space will allow more events to go on.”
The Regents also approved the appointment of ASU’s new university provost, Mark Searle, who has served as the interim university provost since June 22.
Searle’s appointment term will begin Nov. 23, and he will act as a leader for ASU campuses and academic programs as well as represent ASU for external agencies, according to the meeting agenda.
Deborah Clarke, ASU’s vice provost for academic personnel, said Searle earned the position.
“He’s done a lot of work here at ASU — he’s very smart, he’s very savvy and he’s very committed to the institutions and its students,” Clarke said. “This is great news for the ASU community.”
Reach the assistant news editor at aplante@asu.edu or follow @aimeenplante on Twitter
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