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Groundbreaking for new residence hall, Trafton addition is Sept. 15

Minnesota State University, Mankato will break ground for two major construction projects – an addition to Trafton Science Center and a new residence hall – in public ceremonies Friday, Sept. 15.

2006-09-08

Minnesota State University, Mankato will break ground for two major construction projects - an addition to Trafton Science Center and a new residence hall - in public ceremonies Friday, Sept. 15.

Groundbreaking for the new Julia A. Sears residence hall will be at 1:30 p.m., west of Centennial Student Union. Groundbreaking for the $32.9 million Trafton Science Center addition will be at approximately 2:15 p.m., at the arboretum south of Trafton.

Both ceremonies are open to the public, and visitors who wish to attend may park in Lot 4, south of Centennial Student Union.

The new Julia A. Sears building will be a 608-bed, four-story residence hall complex with 136 semi-suite double units, each with four beds, and 32 semi-suite single units, each with two beds. The 208,000-square-foot brick structure is expected to cost $ 34.3 million.

Bidding for the new residence hall will take place in October. Site preparation, including soils correction under the building footprint, underground utilities and a storm water management pond, was done this summer. Construction is expected to start in late November, and the new hall is expected to be completed in June 2008.

The hall will be named for Julia A. Sears, who served as Mankato State Normal School principal in 1872 and 1873.

The Trafton Science Center construction will occur in two phases over four years:

• Phase 1 ($32.9 million) starts in late September and will be completed in summer 2008. It includes construction of a 70,000-square-foot addition and a 16,010-square-foot renovation of Trafton North.
• Phase 2 ($21 million) starts in fall 2008 and will end in summer 2010. It includes a 52,800-square-foot renovation of Trafton South and Center.

The renovation will refurbish building's infrastructure and will bring outdated classrooms and laboratories into ADA and environmental compliance. The project will include removing asbestos, replacing aging roof membranes, and fixing the outdoor plaza to eliminate water leaks, relocating the Chemistry, Civil Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering and Technology Departments.

Built in 1970 and named in honor of Gilbert H. Trafton, former chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics, the hall is the University's largest classroom building. Thirty percent of all classes offered on campus are taught in Trafton.

In May 2006 the Minnesota Legislature authorized sale of state bonds to finance the Phase 1 Trafton construction. Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system approved the sale of revenue bonds to finance the residence hall.

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