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St. Mary's College seeks county support for $78M auditorium project; commissioners cautious, suggest letter of intent
Summary
St. Mary's College requested county support toward a proposed $78 million new auditorium and academic building project; college leaders said state design funding is in the five‑year plan and asked for local matching or demonstration funds; commissioners favored a cautious approach—a letter of intent or reserve—rather than immediate cash outlay.
Representatives from St. Mary's College briefed commissioners about a long‑standing proposal for a new academic and auditorium facility. The college seeks local support to help secure $78 million in state construction funding; the college said the governor's five‑year capital improvement plan has previously included the project and that design money is anticipated in FY17.
College representatives told the board the facility would include a roughly 700‑seat auditorium to serve academic, cultural and community programming; they said the college has raised over $1 million toward the broader effort and that county support would demonstrate local commitment to the governor and legislature.
Commissioners acknowledged the potential economic and cultural value but raised fiscal caution. "A $1,000,000 investment for a $78,000,000 return is not bad," one commissioner said, while others cautioned the state funding environment is constrained, and asked about fundraising progress and timing. Commissioners suggested a letter of intent or placing a reserve/placeholder in the CIP rather than immediately appropriating county funds.
Ending: County leaders asked college staff to continue fundraising and to discuss a nonbinding county letter of intent or reserve placement while the governor's FY17 CIP is finalized; commissioners said any direct appropriation would be subject to future budget decisions and state award certainty.
