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State Building Commission approves MTSU Murphy Center addition and renovation
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Summary
The commission approved Middle Tennessee State University’s request to proceed with designer selection and preconstruction work for an addition and renovation of the Murphy Center, with partial funding now authorized and the university to return for full funding later.
The State Building Commission on a voice vote approved Middle Tennessee State University’s request to proceed with designer selection and early preconstruction work for an addition and renovation to the Murphy Center.
MTSU President Dr. Sidney McPhee told the commission the project will add an accessible entry and lobby and renovate roughly 250,000 square feet of existing space at the Murphy Center, originally built in 1972, and that the work will “upgrade the facility” to improve academic, health and performance spaces while preserving its event functions. McPhee said the university requested partial funding at this stage to support programming and early preconstruction services, including sequencing and scheduling analysis; the university will return to the commission to request the remaining funds for full design and construction.
The commission record shows the university is using plant funds for the current funding tranche; a commissioner asked specifically whether the $300,000 in current funding is plant funds and was told it is. Commissioners also asked whether the project adds academic square footage; McPhee replied the project primarily upgrades existing academic space rather than adding net new academic square footage.
Commission staff noted the full project funding was provided in the prior general appropriation by the governor and that, according to the presentation, the full project budget is funded by a mix of GEO bonds and Tennessee State School Bond Authority (TSSBA) bonds totaling about $190,000,000; the university used plant programming to split academic and auxiliary portions for budgeting at this stage. The commission voted to proceed with selecting a designer and to use a construction manager/general contractor alternative delivery method; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote.
The commission did not take final action to authorize full construction funding at this meeting; staff and the university indicated MTSU will return to request the remaining appropriation needed for full design and construction.
The commission then moved to the next agenda item.
