UVU science building close to a done deal

(Daily Herald) It's (almost) official: UVU is getting a new science building. The state Legislature finalized a bill that will pay $45 million of the $50 million cost for the 160,000-square-foot building.

The bill is now awaiting Gov. Gary Herbert's signature or veto.

The bill authorizes funding for the Utah Valley University project as well as buildings for UVU, Dixie College and Salt Lake Community College as well as upgrade National Guard armories throughout the state. Funding for the projects would come from delaying road projects, with some in Utah County on the chopping block. The list of roads in Utah County could include expansion of State Street from 2000 North to Geneva Road, Geneva Road from 1600 North to 2000 South and the Vineyard connector. Interstate 15 expansion is not included, though Geneva expansion is supposed to provide an alternate during the multi-year, multi-billion project.

The UVU building was at the top of the priority list for the school and multiple lawmakers. The current building was designed for when the school had 8,000 students. Now the university is getting close to 30,000 students and is out of space.

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