The Public Works Board on Tuesday approved a revised construction and maintenance program for the coming biennium that includes the new Hotel Administration building at UNLV.
The university system had protested earlier this month when that $50 million project was left out of the board's list, saying failing to fund it would cost the campus the $25 million Harrah's Corp. pledged to pay for half of it.
The total recommended capital improvement projects budget is $622 million. That does not include any general fund money. It is primarily state bond money plus grants, gifts and federal funding.
The list of recommendations now goes to the budget division and the governor's office for review before it is submitted to the Legislature.
To fit the project in the budget, PWB Manager Gus Nunez said he had to make a few changes but that he refused to eliminate the other projects UNR was willing to surrender to get the Hotel Administration building because they involved life/safety issues and funding needed to open other buildings that are finished but not furnished and equipped.
He got $10 million of the $25 million needed when the university system pledged to put up that much to seismically retrofit two century old dorms at UNR. Lincoln and Manzanita halls are being preserved as historic buildings but Nunez said it is up to campus officials to decide whether they are safe enough to occupy until the seismic work is completed in about five years.
He postponed two projects for the Department of Wildlife and Division of Forestry to save another $8 million and he said he reduced the proposed $80 million maintenance budget to $70 million " which he pointed out is still more than actual maintenance costs this biennium.
Executive Vice Chancellor Dan Klaich said he was pleased they had worked out a deal to resolve the dispute. But he served notice university officials will try convince the Legislature and governor to add more system priorities to the construction list.
Board member Tito Tiberti asked whether the system would live within its means on this project. He cited the Greenspun Urban Studies center project, which ended up at nearly double its original cost because of changes and additions after lawmakers approved the original budget.
"We're not going to do that again," said Klaich. "This kind of incremental thing where it's $50 million today, $60 million tomorrow and $70 million the next day will destroy our credibility."
The vote to approve the recommendations was unanimous.
Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.