A multi-million dollar project for exterior renovations at Lincoln University's Dwight T. Reed Stadium will start immediately after gaining approval Wednesday from the school's Board of Curators.
The board approved a contract Wednesday with Byrne and Jones of St. Louis for $1,823,870.
School officials said the work would replace the turf field, lights and scoreboard. It would have the new school logos, and school colors would be prominently displayed.
The last major renovations were made at the stadium in 2011. Those improvements included updating the press box and expanding the home locker room.
There is not enough funding available at this time to paint the stands or renovate the restrooms, officials added, although those improvements will be considered in the future.
The plan calls for all work to be done by Aug. 15 so everything will be in place by the time the school hosts its first football game of the season.
Also at Wednesday's meeting, Lincoln curators discussed proposed changes to the school's policy on collective bargaining but delayed taking action until a final document on the changes was completed.
Lincoln's faculty members in February voiced concerns with a definition of their jobs approved by curators.
Unhappy the curators' language included fewer people than the faculty's own definition, some faculty members pointed to the exclusion of librarians and Extension program researchers from their bargaining group. Many faculty members have decided to enlist the Missouri National Education Association to represent them in contract negotiations with Lincoln administrators.
Curators decided Wednesday to table the matter until their next meeting, scheduled for April 20.