In his executive budget, Governor Dalrymple included one building project.
It’s for a Communications and Fine Arts building at Valley City State University. Funding would come from the special Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund.
The Board of Higher Education had set as it's second priority demolishing and replacing NDSU’s Dunbar Hall, a chemistry research building built in the 1960s. The building has what Board member Don Morton described as serious structural issues.
Morton was disappointed it was left out of the budget request.
"It's the major research building on the NDSU campus, housing a lot of expensive equipment," Morton said. "This is a very serious problem. And we (the Board) are the ones that will be held accountable, if something really goes wrong. The risk at Dunbar is very, very high."
The cost to tear it down and rebuild is $45 million. Board chair Kathy Neset said the Board needs to stress to the Legislature that this project is a priority.
"With a new administration coming in, maybe we could put a focus on Dunbar Hall," Neset said in an interview. "It impacts safety concerns, a risk assessment, and such. And it may take multiple things."
By "things," Neset said it could mean a public-private funding partnership.
"I would just ask that the project be re-evaluated," Neset said.
