On the agenda is a capital construction bill for universities—one of the last bills to be voted on this session. Gov. Kate Brown had requested that $225 million in bonds be set aside for unspecified projects.
The school began dismantling the former arena, which closed permanently in 2015, in January. As part of a controlled demolition, the building imploded in late May to make room for new natural grass practice fields.
The first proposed building (pictured) features collaborative learning spaces, student support services, faculty and staff offices, and communal gathering areas.
With a recent donation pushing the project over its initial $30 million fundraising goal mandated by the board of trustees, construction can now start on the arena, which is expected to open in 2021.
The new 96,242-square-foot campus center is part of an initiative to ensure that the university’s physical spaces support both the campus and local communities.
The university held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $935,000, 2,400-square-foot teaching and research greenhouse, which is slated for completion this fall.
