The MSU Board of Trustees will vote today to authorize a $10.3 million upgrade to West Circle’s utilities.
The proposed upgrade would include enhancements to the steam, electrical and water utilities, replacement of underground steam distribution lines, increased water capacity for better fire safety and replacement of the existing electrical system.
The utilities for the complex haven’t been updated for about 70 years, said Bob Nestle, university engineer.
“It had to be done sooner or later,” Nestle said. “The utilities in this area had been getting deteriorated.”
Preliminary estimates for the enhancements initially were $7.5 million, but Nestle said the number was an early assumption.
“Between trying to get a lot of stuff in a very small place and not trying to harm the mature trees in the area, it just got more complicated,” Nestle said.
During the construction, which is scheduled to begin in March, West Circle will be shut down, said Ryan McKinney, facilities manager for West Circle.
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