Commission approves scope revision for UTK P3 housing redevelopment

The commission approved a revision in project scope for a public-private (P3) housing redevelopment at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. President Randy Boyd described the plan to replace Reese, North and South Carroll Halls with three new residence halls and a classroom, and said the university will continue with the previously selected development team, RISE Real Estate, to preserve schedule and quality.

Treasurer Lillard asked about procurement practice and whether projects should be rebid for later phases, noting concern when disclosed budgets later increase substantially. "Do you have any thoughts on, you know, we certainly we have a lot of trust and faith and what they're doing at UT... Do you have any thoughts on when it might be a good idea to go back out for bid as opposed to what we're doing this time?" the treasurer asked. Commission leadership responded that a new procurement would have been considered if broader future phases were anticipated; the commission adopted the requested revision by voice vote.