Colorado State University plans new construction, real estate moves

Colorado State University’s veterinary campus will soon have more space to house dogs, cats and rodents needing care.

The Colorado State University Board of Governors voted Thursday to approve the South Campus Animal Research Facility project.

The project will involve construction of a roughly 12,150-square-foot facility on the south side of the university's veterinary campus. The building will be used to house animals, according to materials provided by the board.

As it stands, the veterinary campus has limited space for dogs, cats and rodents, according to the board.

The new building would support the Translational Medicine Institute, Animal Cancer Center, Pre-surgical Research Laboratory and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Long-range plans include the eventual construction of additional space, according to materials provided by the board.  

How much will it cost?

The project is estimated to cost $6 million to $8 million, financed with bonds backed by university resources. CSU plans to seek approval to issue Colorado State Intercept Program bonds for the purchase.

How long will construction take?

The board estimates the project will take 15 months to complete once it’s approved and the finances are in place.

Move would maximize space on campus

The board also approved a plan for CSU to acquire property at 2243 Centre Avenue from the CSU Research Foundation.

CSU Semester at Sea already leases space in the building. University Advancement, now scattered in several spaces around the main campus, would consolidate in the building.

The property is a three-story, 33,000-square-foot office building in the Center for Advanced Technology, about a half mile south of the main campus. It’s close to CSU’s Around the Horn Transit Service, which will offer access to the main campus, according to materials provided by the board.

The move would help address the shortage of office space at CSU, according to materials provided by the board.

How much will it cost?

The board estimates the move will cost about $9.2 million plus closing costs. CSU also plans to seek approval to issue bonds under the state’s Intercept Program for this purchase.

How long will it take?

Once approvals and finances are in place, the board expects the transaction to close in March 2019.

CSU to purchase land in Gunnison

The board of governors voted to approve buying 20 acres of property at 1141 N. Colorado Highway 135 in Gunnison from the CSU Research Foundation. A house, shop and barn will come with the property.

Colorado State Forest Service will use the land. It will become the new location for the district office, which is now located on the Western State Campus, according to materials provided by the board.

How much will it cost?

Mike Hooker, spokesman for CSU, said negotiations are ongoing, so there's no set dollar amount yet.  

What's the timeline?

The university plans to buy the property within 10 business days of the CSU Research Foundation closing. 

At his last Fall Address, CSU President Tony Frank said the university has invested about $1.5 billion in infrastructure over the past decade.

“We can say with confidence we are passing on a physical campus to the next generation that is among the nation’s most beautiful,” Frank said.