Minnesota State urges HEAPR, demolition and renovation funding as backlog grows

Brian Swanson, associate vice chancellor for Facilities at Minnesota State, told the Capital Investment Committee that Minnesota State’s 2025 capital request prioritizes renewal, replacement and demolition rather than adding new square footage. Swanson described a sprawling system — roughly 28,000,000 square feet across 54 campuses and more than 843 structures — and said deferred‑maintenance costs are growing while capital and operating resources have not kept pace with inflation.

Minnesota State’s top priorities included HEAPR funding (the system’s primary asset‑renewal program), a $25 million request in the operating budget for demolition, and $50 million in nonrecurring operating funding for repair and replacement work similar to HEAPR. Swanson said the system has identified 65 HEAPR projects systemwide and 14 major renovation or replacement projects; HEAPR supports work such as roofs, windows, plumbing, HVAC and accessibility and code corrections.

Swanson said Minnesota State has kept academic space flat since 2020 and hopes with demolition funding to reduce total square footage; he said the system could remove as much as 1,300,000 square feet if funding were available. Committee members asked how declining enrollment, PSEO competition and demographic changes should shape long‑term planning; Swanson suggested those are larger policy questions the chancellor and Board should take up and said Minnesota State is prepared to provide project lists and participate in broader discussions about consolidation and campus futures.