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State Building Commission approves Melrose Hall replacement, Chemistry Building early work; refers Moccasin Bend project to EFC
Summary
The State Building Commission approved several University of Tennessee projects including a Melrose Hall replacement and a revision to the Chemistry Building funding and scope, and referred a Moccasin Bend mental health facility replacement to the EFC for action.
The State Building Commission voted to approve multiple project items on its agenda, including an early-construction package for the University of Tennessee Chemistry Building in Knoxville and the Melrose Hall replacement project, and it referred a Moccasin Bend replacement facility for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to the EFC with authority to act.
The commission was told by University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd that the Chemistry Building request “reflects the project moving beyond the planning phase and into construction of an early bid package for site work.” The commission approved the revision in funding and scope by voice vote.
Nut graf: The actions advance two campus projects in Knoxville and place the Moccasin Bend replacement on a referral track that allows an executive body to act; together they affect campus academic space, student services and a state mental-health replacement facility.
Members of the commission also heard an early design presentation for the Melrose Hall replacement from David Bailey of Hastings Architecture and Design LLC. Bailey said the replacement would sit between Hodges Library and Hess Hall and provide classrooms, academic-support spaces, testing and tutoring areas, and veteran services. He described green roofs and a mix of campus brick, metal panels and high-performance glazing; he said construction documents are expected to be complete in March, abatement and demolition would follow in April, and the project targets occupancy in July 2027. “I’m David Bailey, principal in charge for Hastings Architecture,” Bailey said during the presentation. The commission approved the Melrose Hall item by voice vote.
On the Moccasin Bend item, a speaker asked the commission to refer the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse’s replacement facility request to the EFC with authority to act; the referral was made and recorded as referred to the executive subcommittee.
Other business carried by the commission included approval of the consent agenda (items 1–10), approval of the minutes from the Dec. 20, 2024 meeting, and a report of administrative items from the Office of State Architect including four change orders, one capital improvement approval revising funding with no change to the total project budget, one disposal of TDOT property, and one designer additional service request submitted by MTSU. Those items were released as reported in accordance with SBC bylaws, policies and procedures.
The commission took each of the actions described above by voice vote or referral; no formal roll-call tallies with member names were recorded in the transcript.
The meeting closed after the commission reported no further business and adjourned.
