Tens of millions of dollars in construction contracts up at MSU board meeting

The Missouri State University Board of Governors this afternoon is scheduled to vote on tens of millions of dollars’ worth of construction contracts.

The Phase II renovation of Roy Blunt Hall, which has a total project budget of $41.1 million, is among measures up for vote at the board's meeting, according to the agenda.

The Blunt Hall measure calls on the approval of a guaranteed maximum price contract of $34.8 million with The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., which previously was hired for the project as construction manager.

The measure additionally calls for approval of a $2.5 million contract with Kansas City-based architecture firm BNIM, according to the agenda.

Phase II of the Blunt Hall work includes exterior restoration, new fire suppression and alarm systems, a mechanical system and elevator replacement, and upgrades to lab piping and electrical systems. It's slated for completion by the fall 2026 semester.

During its meeting today, the MSU board also is slated to vote on the low bid of $7.7 million from Carson-Mitchell Inc. for an addition and renovation project at Kemper Hall, according to the agenda.

The other bids were $7.8 million by DeWitt & Associates Inc., $8 million by Branco Enterprises, $8.2 million by KCI Construction Co. and $8.9 million by RIHC Contracting Inc.

Work is scheduled to be completed during the fall 2024 semester for the work that includes a new space for the school's construction management and technology program.

Also on the agenda today is a $900,600 contract with St. Louis-based Christner Architects related to the renovation of Cheek Hall.

"Cheek Hall was originally constructed in 1955," the agenda reads, pointing to a planned fall 2025 semester completion. "Due to the age of the building envelope and building systems, this project will focus on prioritizing and resolving issues while reconfiguring and updating interior space usage and finishes."