UNIVERSITY REGENTS INK RIVER CAMPUS CONTRACTS

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents inked two contracts for the River Campus project Tuesday.

But school officials insisted after the meeting that the money won't be spent until all the funding is in place.

The regents approved a $3.87 million architectural and engineering contract with Sverdrup/CRSS of St. Louis and a $1.33 million construction management contract with BSI Inc. of St. Louis.

School officials said the construction management firm could help keep the $37 million project on budget and possibly under budget.

"They are really our eyes and ears on the job," said university President Dr. Ken Dobbins.

Sverdrup, a division of Jacobs Facilities, will be the lead architect. But Barton Myers, a Los Angeles, Calif., firm, will handle design work for the theater and recital halls.

Don Dickerson, board president, said school officials don't want to proceed until the funding is assured.

The state has allocated $16.55 million for the project. The university is working to raise another $10 million. The city's $8.9 million share is held up by a lawsuit filed against the city by Cape Girardeau businessman Jim Drury and his MidAmerica Hotels Corp.

Both sides have asked for summary judgments. Dickerson said a ruling is expected soon by Associate Circuit Judge Robert Stillwell of Fredericktown.

But Dickerson, a lawyer, said the ruling could be appealed, whichever side wins.

Any appeal likely would be put on "a fast track," he said.

Drury's lawsuit questions the legality of the city's plan to issue bonds and retire them with money from the motel tax.

Dickerson said the university can find a state agency to issue the bonds once the city can commit to paying off the bonds with tax money.

One such state agency is the Missouri Development Finance Board. The state board met in Cape Girardeau for the first time Tuesday. The finance board met at the University Center and then held a joint luncheon meeting with the Board of Regents.

Finance board members then were given a tour of the River Campus site. The Board of Regents subsequently convened at the University Center for its regular meeting.

The finance board last year authorized the issuance of $5 million in tax credits toward the River Campus project. School officials have said the move could generate $10 million in private money for the project.

Pauline Fox, vice president for administration and enrollment management, said the university has raised nearly $3 million in financial gifts and pledges toward the River Campus project.

Southeast plans to develop old St. Vincent's Seminary in Cape Girardeau into a school for the visual and performing arts.

Dickerson said he hopes the architectural and engineering work can proceed within the next two months.

Speaking at the luncheon, finance board executive Director Robert Miserez praised the partnership involving the university, city, state and private donors.

Joe Driskill directs the Missouri Department of Economic Development. He also serves on the finance board.

Driskill said the quality of life is best in communities that have strong public and private partnerships. He said the River Campus project is an example of a good public-private partnership.

Action taken

Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents

Tuesday, Aug. 15

* Approved a new major in corporate communications.

* Approved a new minor in pedology/soil science.

* Changed the name of the department of management to the department of management and management information systems.

* Approved an operating budget request that will be submitted to the state for fiscal 2002.

* Executed applications for grant assistance with the Missouri Transportation Department.

* Consolidated student financial services.

* Awarded architectural and construction management contracts for the River Campus project.