Posted on 02/24/2013 2:59:09 AM PST by ExxonPatrolUs
Governor Pat Quinn announced a $54 million capital investment to build a Fine Arts Complex that will strengthen Illinois State University’s renowned arts programs and create 775 construction jobs.
“This investment means Illinois State University will be able to build on its excellent reputation in the fine arts while creating hundreds of good jobs in Normal,” the governor said on Founders Day on February 21. “Higher education is a powerful force for growth in Illinois. We all benefit when our universities have the facilities to engage and educate our young people, whether the field is art, accounting or engineering.”
The Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program will provide $54.25 million for the Fine Arts Complex, starting with $7.5 million for design and planning. The project includes renovation of existing buildings and construction of space for instruction and performance. It will create more than 775 construction and related jobs, and spending by those workers will support an additional 775 jobs in the community.
“We are extremely grateful to Governor Quinn for his perseverance in bringing this project to Illinois State,” said President Al Bowman. “The College of Fine Arts offers first-class programs with outstanding faculty, staff and students who deserve first-class facilities.”
The new complex will replace or renovate three buildings: Centennial East, Centennial West, both constructed in 1959, and the Center for Visual Arts, constructed in 1973. The College of Fine Arts includes art, music, theater and dance and arts technology. It serves more than 1,100 students with 160 faculty and staff members, and 40 fields of study.
The next step toward a new complex is hiring an architectural and engineering firm to design it with input from faculty, staff members and students in conjunction with the state’s Capital Development Board.
“This project is a great example of what the Illinois Jobs Now! program can accomplish,” said Jim Underwood, the Capital Development Board’s executive director. “It will create good jobs while strengthening Illinois State University. With the leadership of Governor Quinn and the guidance of ISU administrators, we’re going to build a complex that will benefit students for years to come.”
“The footprint for the Fine Arts Complex is large, and considerable University community input will be required to best match evolving academic, programmatic and performance requirements with the available space and resources for this important project,” said Dan Layzell, vice president for Finance and Planning. “We will also begin discussing how to best maintain College of Fine Arts operations during the construction process.”
“This is thrilling news for all College of Fine Arts faculty, staff and students, as well as our alumni and visitors,” said James Major, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “The construction project will have a significant positive impact on our ability to recruit and retain high-quality faculty and staff members, and motivated students.”
Just another way to give the plunder taken from the government to the unions through loans and bonds the taxpayers )(not the unions or the “artists”)will have to pay. Is Quinn a racketeer, or what?
How long will these “good jobs” last?
With Obama care coming, money needed for new roads, gas taxes getting higher, property taxes on the rise, Every state needs a new fine arts center to hold what liberals and idiots call art.
I’d rank this a low priority project. The money is better spent on fixing pot holes or paying down our debt.
Even better if it could be spent on electing IL conservatives.
My adult younger brother is autistic and deaf. He lives in a group home Dixon IL . He loves it there as do his housmates and caretakers. Tje keep threatening to close it down and put blind and deaf people on the street because of a five million dollar shortfall. I’m so glad they have their priorities straight in this failing state.
My adult younger brother is autistic and deaf. He lives in a group home Dixon IL . He loves it there as do his housmates and caretakers. They e keep threatening to close it down and put blind and deaf people on the street because of a five million dollar shortfall. I’m so glad they have their priorities straight in this failing state.
Governor Pat Quinn announced a $54 million capital investment to build a Fine Arts Complex that will strengthen Illinois State University’s renowned arts programs and create 775 construction jobs.$69,677.42 per job, of course that depends on the actual length of time spent building it -- think overrun, money laundering, and another tax hike or "revenue enhancement" to pay for the whole thing.
$54 million for a new building when the state doesn’t pay its bills!
$54 million for a new building when the state doesn’t pay its bills!
There may be a large endowment associated with this project. But taxpayers will no doubt be shouldering the bulk of the cost. Future students as well.
Quinn is as stupid as Blago was corrupt.
“My adult younger brother is autistic and deaf. He lives in a group home Dixon IL . He loves it there as do his housmates and caretakers. Tje keep threatening to close it down and put blind and deaf people on the street because of a five million dollar shortfall. I’m so glad they have their priorities straight in this failing state.”
They will build their $54 million Piss Christ facility. People like your brother and my aunt will be euthanized. That is the future of America and it may be too late to reverse it.
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