Board approves multiple UA construction projects including AIM battery lab, Coleman expansion and $80.75M nursing addition

The committee approved eight University of Alabama items covering seven construction projects and one real‑estate amendment. The projects and authorizations approved (summarized from materials and presentations) are:

- AIM Battery Research Center (AIM building) renovation: revised total project budget reduced to $15,000,000, delivered in a single construction package with an owner‑furnished contractor‑installed equipment (OFCI) package for modular dry room equipment and emergency generator. Low bidder: Harrison Construction Company (Tuscaloosa). Funded with the State ETF supplemental appropriation.

- Coleman Coliseum basketball training and player development facility expansion and renovation: total project budget $54,600,000 funded with a combination of general revenue bonds, Crimson Standard cash, and university central reserves. Multiple bid packages are underway; one package (audio/visual) had Conference Technologies as low bidder.

- Psychiatry residency program renovation and addition at the University Medical Center: revised budget reduced to about $3,600,000 (from prior estimate >$5.5M), funded with College of Community Health Sciences reserve funds. Low bidder: Snow Blakeney Construction (Tuscaloosa).

- ROTC facility and student veteran center (19,000 sq ft single‑story): total project budget $12,750,000, funded by State ETF supplemental appropriation; decorative fencing and a 35‑foot rappelling tower are being bid as alternates.

- Chi Omega sorority house renovations (901 Magnolia Drive): revised budget increases from ~$2.6M to ~$3.2M to add house director suite renovations, an additional delivery ramp and elevator improvements; funded with chapter reserves.

- Farrah Hall renovation (approx. 63,000 sq ft): authorization to negotiate owner consultant agreements and ranking of preferred design (Charles Williams and Associates) and commissioning (Smith Seckman & Reed); funding sources noted as future revenue bonds and university central reserves. The project includes demolition/abatement to expedite construction.

- Capstone College of Nursing addition and renovation: authorization to proceed with planning and owner‑architect agreement with Turner Batson Architects for renovation of ~31,000 sq ft and a 50,000 sq ft addition plus a pedestrian bridge; total project budget $80,750,000 funded by future general revenue bonds and university central reserves. Trustees asked about parking impacts and potential cost‑sharing with the city or DCH Regional Medical Center; staff said the pedestrian bridge estimate is included in the total and that the university is pursuing partnerships.

- Capstone Hotel ground lease Amendment No. 9: the proposed amendment allows a fourth extended term (10 years beginning Oct. 10, 2045) contingent on the tenant securing and maintaining a franchise agreement and completing renovations; the tenant and landlord will renegotiate tenant rent for the fourth extended term 180 days before the third term expires, with a third‑party consultant appointed to set rent if parties cannot agree.

Mike Rogers and other staff presented the projects and recommended approval. The committee voted to approve the package by voice vote; the transcript records the motion, second and approval but no roll‑call tallies.

Funding sources cited in presentations include State ETF supplemental appropriations, future bonds, university central reserves, chapter reserves, and gift funds depending on the project. Several projects noted bid participation and low bidders; specific contract awards will proceed in accordance with the project authorizations.