The board will vote on whether to authorize $9.45 million in proposed improvements to Holden Hall.

Bill Latta, director of facilities planning in the Office of Planning and Budgets, said Holden Hall was chosen instead of other residence halls because its classrooms needed updating.

“We do a comprehensive list of classrooms and we look at those heavily used classrooms in the poorest conditions,” he said.

Enhanced security access systems and new lighting would be included in the renovation. Other work to the hall would include painting and adding furniture to lobbies, floor lounges, service centers and corridors.

Holden Hall would be closed during the construction, which is scheduled to begin in May and finish in August.

Mayo Hall bidding decision

The board will consider the Trustee Finance Committee’s recommendation for an $8.75 million bid for a Mayo Hall construction contract.

The bid from Kares Construction Company, Inc. was the lowest of four bids received by the committee, MSU Provost Kim Wilcox said.

The company’s bid includes about two-thirds of the $12.75 million total budgeted for the hall renovations. The remaining $4 million will be used to pay the architect, inspector and design fees, said MSU engineer Bob Nestle.

Renovations would include upgrading or replacing all major mechanical, electrical and ventilation systems, adding a new elevator, community bathrooms and additional furniture.

Mayo Hall would be closed for 18 months beginning in May.

Dubai funding increase

The committee also recommended the board authorize a maximum loan increase from $3.5 million to $5 million for MSU in Dubai.

MSU and TECOM Investments, the university’s lender for the project, negotiated in the last month to increase the maximum loan from an original $3 million maximum to the current $3.5 million.

A new maximum of $5 million would be in case MSU officials want to add more academic programs or students to its Dubai curriculum, said John Hudzik, MSU vice president of global engagement and strategic projects.

Student tuition is expected to cover first-year loan payments, said Corinne Reardon, budget officer for the provost’s office. The university’s loan is expected to be paid entirely by 2020, she said.