UMS committee approves a package of project budget increases and authorizations, from Maine Center loans to a $110M energy center authorization

The University of Maine System FFT committee on April 15 approved forwarding a package of project budget increases, lease renewals and naming requests to the full Board for final action or to be included on the consent agenda. Items carried unanimously on roll calls after brief presentations by campus leaders and system staff.

Highlights included:

• Maine Center renovation: Seth Goodall requested and the committee approved forwarding an increase of $2,000,000 to bring the Maine Center renovation total to $11,600,000, financed in part by a Harold Alfond Foundation UMS Transforms grant and projected Main Center lease revenue.

• University of Maine Energy Center (UMEC): President Frini Mundy and staff asked the committee to increase the previously approved spend by $101.3 million to a total of $110 million for design and construction and to approve financing (revenue bonds) with a maximum principal debt amount of $104 million; trustees voted to forward the authorization to the Board.

• Multiple campus capital authorizations and increases: the committee approved (to be forwarded for Board action or placed on the consent agenda) a set of project approvals including a $650,000 authorization to install heat pumps at DTAV Smith House; up to $4,000,000 for Jeunesse (Janus) Hall renovations; an increase to the Forest Biomaterials Innovation Center from $7,425,000 to $9,425,000; an increase to the Sawmill Training & Education Center to $866,171; and an increase for the Darling Marine Center Marine Culture Laboratory to $1,612,000.

• Naming and leases: the committee approved forwarding the renaming of the UMaine Machias Science Building as the Gail Krause Science Building upon Professor Krause's retirement, and it approved a lease extension and increase for Orchard Trail student apartments (10 beds) to be included on the consent agenda. The committee also approved a 15‑year WMPG tower lease extension for the Portland transmitter (estimated total $988,000 inclusive of rent and electricity).

Each item was read into the record, moved and seconded, and carried on roll call. Presenters said funding comes from a mix of federal/congressionally directed spending, philanthropic grants, UMS Transforms funds and auxiliary or gift accounts as noted in their presentations.