Home > News > Bonding bill approves millions for UMD
Bonding bill approves millions for UMD
BY ELIZABETH ENKE
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
iISSUE: 78/27
SUBMITTED GRAPHIC
A computer generated look at what the engineering building will look like.
Funding for UMD’s Swenson College of Science and Engineering building and the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) expansion became possible on April 7, 2008, when Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the bonding bill. Next fall, UMD will be adding a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering to the College of Science and Engineering, according to the Director of Development for the UMD building, Tricia Bunten. Incoming students have already been admitted for the 2008 school year as civil engineering majors.
“It was crucial for bonding to come through so the building would be ready for their junior year [2010],” said Bunten.
The idea of the new major was requested from local and regional engineering companies, according to Bunten. The UMD news release stated that the total cost of the new building is $15 million. Ten million of it will be funded by Pawlenty’s bonding bill, two million will be provided by the university, and the Swenson Family Foundation is donating another three million. Seniors Mark Thompson and Liz Kokesh were pleased to hear about the new addtion to UMD. “[We’re] excited, but we won’t be able to use it,” said the engineering majors. “It’ll benefit in the long run.”
The news release also stated that the building will be equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and research labs, classrooms and administrative offices. “It’s a great idea,” said junior Scott Roby. “Any additional
education is good. Adding anything new and expanding the academic landscape is great.”
Pawlenty also announced the go-ahead to start the DECC expansion. According to DECC director Dan Russell through an e-mail interview, the DECC Board has been working to expand their building for six years. “In 2006 and 2007, funding had been considered, but it wasn’t until this year that it was approved,” Russell said. Russell believes that the expansion will enhance Duluth’s role as a regional entertainment center with such things as bigger concerts, trade shows and conventions, as well as a larger hockey arena. “The result will be millions of dollars pumped into the local hospitality industry and much greater hospitality tax receipts for the City of Duluth,” said Russell.
According to Russell, construction will begin in September, creating about 300 construction jobs for 30 months. The expansion is anticipated to be finished for the 2010-2011 hockey season.
