Trustees approve two Normandale projects totaling about $13.9M for electrical upgrades and student center renovation

Normandale Community College won trustee approval for two separate capital contracts: a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) construction manager‑at‑risk contract with JE Dunn for an electrical infrastructure project not to exceed $7,200,000, and a $6,700,000 GMP for renovations to the Kopp Student Center.

System staff explained the electrical project was respecified to a CMAR delivery model because long equipment lead times and schedule risk made a traditional construction contract impractical; the $7.2M authorization will be funded from the institution’s general fund balance. The Kopp Student Center project is intended to right‑size the food service area, consolidate prepackaged options in the bookstore, add meeting/club spaces, update technology and streamline student services; funding will come from student center revenue fund balance and student life/bookstore fund balances that the campus set aside for this purpose.

Trustees asked whether the projects would normally be funded through HEAPR or other state capital sources. System staff said campus funding decisions reflected limited state funds and local priorities; some trustees expressed concern that wealthier campuses can move forward while smaller campuses must wait. Both contracts passed by roll call.