State Building Commission approves $98.44 million revision for Fletcher Hall addition at UTC

The State Building Commission approved a revision in scope and the early design phase for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Fletcher Hall addition and renovation project during its meeting. The commission approved the project by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The project, as presented to the commission, would double the size of the existing four-story Fletcher Hall with a new four-story addition linked by a bridge across a pedestrian walkway on Oak Street. The university and its design team described the program as primarily instructional space on the first through fourth floors, a two-story atrium/great room for student gatherings and community events, and flexible classrooms and an auditorium on the upper floors. The presentation identified the estimated total project cost as $98,440,000 and a bid target of about $75.4 million; presenters said the project is tracking within that budget.

Architectural presenters said the addition would be tied to the campus's existing material palette (aluminum panels, glazing and aluminum storefront) and that early work had begun to relocate utilities in the area to enable construction. The team reported construction start targeted for this fall with a target occupancy for the 2027 school year.

The University of Tennessee introduced the item; the design presentation was delivered by the project architect. The item was moved and approved by voice vote; no individual vote tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Additional procedural items on the agenda were handled before and after the presentation, including roll call and consent agenda approval.