University of Tennessee chemistry building fully funded and approved to proceed

The State Building Commission voted to fully fund and approve the University of Tennessee’s chemistry project in Knoxville, with the total project budget presented at $199,000,000.

Associate Vice President Austin Oaks presented three items on behalf of the University of Tennessee. For the chemistry project, Oaks said the request was for a revision to project funding and that the $199 million total budget would fully fund the project; the commission voted to adopt the funding revision. The commission also approved two additional UT items: a $61,200,000 UT Martin College of Business and Global Affairs project (fully funded) and a bid-activity referral for two Knoxville projects (College of Veterinary Medicine building envelope and Art and Architecture office renovation) to the executive subcommittee with authority to act.

Each motion on the UT requests was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote, with commissioners noting local legislators’ interest in several items. No dissent or abstentions were recorded in the meeting excerpt.