ZIMMER GUNSUL FRASCA ARCHITECTS LLP, OPN ARCHITECTS INC
An aerial schematic of the Iowa State University biorenewables complex is shown. Regents gave final approval Thursday to the first piece of the complex, a $32 million research laboratory, center.
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It is the final approval ISU needed before it could proceed with construction on the project. If everything stays on schedule, ISU expects to bid the project in September 2008 and have the building open for operation by January 2010.
The laboratory is the first piece of a new biorenewables complex planned for the west side of campus. When the money becomes available, ISU plans to add on two wings to the laboratory to house its Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
That construction will be topped off with a new 450- to 600-vehicle parking ramp located on the west side of the complex.
The price tag for the entire project, including the parking ramp and the $32 million laboratory, is estimated around $120.5 million.
The new complex is expected to help ISU attract both researchers and contracts to campus in the field of biorenewables.
"Biorenewables research is, of course, the future of Iowa State," Executive Vice President and Provost Betsy Hoffman told the regents during Thursday's meeting.
Later in the day, the regents approved one of the several new institutes that will be housed in the complex. The Center for Carbon Capturing Crops will continue ongoing research at the university to develop crops capable of sequestering atmospheric carbon.
"We really want to be the center of the future of the solution to the world's climate change problem," Hoffman said.
William Dillon can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 361, or William.Dillon@amestrib.com.
