Lincoln University moving campus projects forward with federal money

A Lincoln University student crosses the bridge from Page Library on Lincoln's campus on April 30, 2016.
A Lincoln University student crosses the bridge from Page Library on Lincoln's campus on April 30, 2016.

Lincoln University is using Title III funding to move forward on a couple major campus projects.

The LU Board of Curators approved more than $344,000 to hire separate architects to carry out plans for a campus master plan and to relocate the university's campus radio station.

The historically Black university collects Title III funding from the federal government because of its HBCU designation and higher than average population of needy and/or minority students.

Colleges and universities can use the funds to improve academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability, according to the U.S. Department of Education's website.

The board on Thursday approved a $177,380 contract with Hollis & Miller, making the Kansas City-based architectural firm Lincoln's architect and design partner on its campus master plan.

Seven companies bid on the project and a staff committee narrowed down its recommendation after interviewing three.

Jeff Barlow, vice president for administration and finance, said the master plan is required by the Higher Learning Commission for the university's accreditation.

The master plan will consist of two components, he said. One part is related to the main campus and the other is a requirement associated with land grant operations and the university's farms.

The contract with Hollis & Miller is only looking at the main campus, Barlow said.

"In that process, they will look at every aspect of our campus and its anticipated needs over the next decade," he said. "They will anticipate growth areas, where we need to really utilize space better and it will be a great document for us for planning purposes as we start to set the next decade for Lincoln University."

"It's money we have to spend," said Curator Richard Popp, chair of the board's finance committee, before moving for approval.

The board also approved a $166,750 contract to make Walters-Storyk Design Group a consultant on the university's project to move the KJLU campus radio station.

The New York-based firm specializing in acoustic consulting and media system engineering is one of the best in the industry, Barlow said.

Curator Everidge Cade, chair of the building and grounds committee, echoed that sentiment.

"This company here, this is what they do," he said. "They deal with radio stations, soundproofing, acoustics and everything else, so that was weighted heavily on that."

The consultants will have a hand in the facility design, systems integration design and acoustic design of the radio station.

The staff committee reviewing submissions chose Walters-Storyk Design Group out of eight applicants, the top three of which were interviewed.

See also:

Lincoln University adds new academic minors, updates academic policies