MEETING MINUTES OF THE UNIVERSITY FACILITIES PLANNING BOARD

September 19, 2023

Members Present: Grant Petersen – Co-Chair, Dean Adams - Co-Chair, Margueriete Kibodeaux - ASMSU Representative, Sreekala Bajwa, Mike Everts, Chris Fastnow, Brett Gunnick, Alison Harmon, Kris Johnson, Mike McNeil, Duane Morris, EJ Hook

Proxy's: Durward Sobek (for Robert Mokwa), Amber Long (for Steve Swinford)

Members Absent: Mike Stanley, Tom Rogers, Evan Greenwood, Kirk Lubick

Staff & Guests: Grey Williams, Evan Burnett, John Scott, Sky Cook, Eddie Valdez

ITEM No. 1 - APPROVAL OF NOTES

The meeting minutes from August 15th, 2023, were unanimously approved.

ITEM No. 2 - RECOMMENDATION - Jones Hall Site and Design - Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing

Presenter: Grey Williams, Campus Planner

Summary/Context

Made possible by a $101M investment by Mark & Robyn Jones, Jones Hall will provide nursing education facilities for the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing on the MSU Bozeman Campus. The project is focused on providing modern healthcare education facilities for practical training of upper division nursing students. The project is nearing completion of the design development (DD) phase before proceeding with final construction documents (CDs) this fall. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring/summer 2024. The facility includes:

  • 25,000 gross square feet, two stories above grade
  • 138 instructional seats
  • 3/4 learning studios (divisible, sized for nursing cohorts)
  • 1 large instructional lab
  • 3 high-tech simulation labs
  • Student gathering and study spaces
  • Research space
  • Office and administrative support spaces

 

Site Principles & Design

The project will be constructed on the southeast corner of 11th Ave. and Grant St. in the area of Wolf Lot 14 currently closed for construction of the Student Wellness Center. The building is intentionally angled and positioned atop the site’s slope to create a significant presence amid larger buildings in the neighborhood and to aid in defining the Grant Street pedestrian experience. Site principles informing site selection and positioning include:

  • Strong campus presence in recognition of the investment, support of recruiting/growth
  • Sense of identity as a true MSU Bozeman, “Bobcat Nurse” program
  • Access to/from off campus practical training, and on campus amenities/spaces
  • Flexibility for future growth and expansion
  • Integration with Grant Street plan that blends access to diverse outdoor spaces
  • Encourage access to Student Wellness Center through, not around, the site
  • Efficient access to utilities and energy district infrastructure

 

Facility Design Principles

The project is designed as one of five facilities across the state sharing common design inspiration and common visitor experience while adapting form and feel to the specific site and geography. The unique geology found in each nursing site (Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Missoula) has developed a massing language based on erosion of the natural landscape. The Bozeman color palette of greys in the metal paneling is drawn from the Bridger Range. The metal paneling is balanced and warmed by light wood tones that bring the mass timber expression and story to the exterior experience. Design principles informing the building include:

  • Compliment adjacent architecture but stand alone as a unique facility
  • Biophilic design expressed through materiality, texture, tone, views, etc.
  • Use of pattern, shadow, and material to create an aesthetic that changes with light conditions
  • Blend exterior and interior experience of mass timber construction
  • Optimize daylight transmission into student and workspaces while managing glare
  • Welcoming, warm, inviting, natural light
  • Prominent front entry porches and gallery space that highlight active nature of nursing
  • Low maintenance and cost-effective materials that will function for decades to come

 

Other Design Considerations

  • Accessibility
    • Facility will be built to all current standards for accessibility on an improved site
  • Parking
    • ADA parking stalls to serve the building will be added to campus inventory
    • Displaced parking has already been accounted for in course of construction closure
  • Traffic
    • No significant changes to traffic patterns are anticipated
  • Sustainability
    • Building will integrate with South Campus Energy District source water system
    • Project is targeting LEED Gold
    • Landscaping is weighted toward native, drought-resistant, low-maintenance species
    • Geothermal well field is being designed to optimize site use (700’ deep wells)
    • Mass timber is being explored for improved balance of embodied carbon
    • Solar (passive and active) solutions are being studied for effectiveness

 

Duane Morris asked for clarification on the concept of biophilic design. Dean Adams clarified that biophilic design essentially means the design is inspired by nature.

Mike McNeil questioned the access to the southern area of the site and building and the area between Jones Hall and the Student Wellness Center. Grant Petersen answered that there will be emergency access and ADA parking maintained in front of the Wellness Center and a pedestrian style landscape will be utilized for crossing Grant Street, without compromising service access to Gaines Hall and Visual Communications.

Sreekala Bajwa questioned how much of the current parking will be lost on the site. Grant Petersen clarified that the lot will be smaller and can be compared to the current fence that is in place for the construction of the Wellness Center.

Sreekala Bajwa also asked about the color scheme, and the similarities between this project and Gianforte Hall. Evan Burnett clarified that biophilic principles guided both projects and that donors like the concept as well. The design team came to this concept and focused on rock and how it changes, relative to its location in Montana. This is representative in the choice of metal panels and how the panels are used on the exterior.

Sreekala Bajwa questioned the composite materials and material choices and their longevity. Evan Burnett clarified that the materials chosen will be able to withstand the Montana climate, along with having an incredibly long lifespan, which has been prioritized. Evan Burnett also mentioned that a mass timber structure is being pursued.

Brett Gunnink asked about the South campus energy district, and how the building will tie into it. Evan Burnett answered that it will connect into the tunnel system, which houses most utilities. He also stated that more geothermal wells will be added on site in the parking lot area of the site which will add to the capacity of geothermal potential on campus.

Grant Petersen clarified as well that this project will expand the current system and energy district which is planned.

Sreekala Bajwa questioned the loss of parking and how the new Wellness Center will impact the parking on site. Grant Petersen stated that it is anticipated that demand will be high to be close to the Wellness Center, but that the use of the lot currently is lower due to it being categorized as a wolf lot. He also stated that we have to wait and see how things change once the Wellness Center comes online and go from there. He cited the proximity of the parking garage being able to alleviate any parking loss as well.

Amber Long added that Wellness Center parking is focused on those who need acute care and have mobility issues and is prioritized. Mike McNeil added that ADA parking is prioritized, and it solves mobility issues around campus.

Brett Gunnink stated that with the loss of much of this wolf lot combined with the future parking loss due to the Campus Hotel project, we are losing a substantial amount of parking. Grant Petersen stated that the transportation work group has been focused on issues such as this for the past year and will follow up with the group in relation to this issue. He also stated that with responsible land use we can improve space counts across campus in areas such as the stadium.

Chris Fastnow asked why the building is offset and sited differently than a normal building. Evan Burnett answered that the building is offset and sited differently because it is smaller in comparison to the surrounding buildings. The way the building is sited makes the structure more prominent and exemplifies the donation made and gives the building a stronger identity.

Mike Everts questioned how the building will promote the outdoor classroom areas even though it is offset, and the crank of the building might be counterproductive to the outdoor classroom and gathering area goal. Evan Burnett clarified that the angular spaces formed by the offset of the building are usable and that grade changes throughout the site make this difficult but also provide opportunity for unique outdoor spaces not seen in other places on campus.

Marguerite Kibodeaux questioned the timeline of the Grant Street modifications and Jones Hall, and how the timelines overlap. Grant Petersen clarified that Grant St will be phased; therefore, it will be puzzle like and sections will be completed at different times based on closures and upcoming construction such as Jones Hall and VisComm/PBS. Grant further clarified that sections of Grant St will be done by the time Jones Hall kicks off, which will allow for student outdoor gathering spaces and areas.

Sreekala Bajwa asked about the funding source and how involved the state is in the project. Grant Petersen clarified that since we receive state operations and maintenance funding for the project and since Jones Hall is an academic building, the state is involved, specifically state A&E. Sreekala further asked about the states 5-year plan and how this building fits into that, Grant clarified again that the PDC team handles a lot of the work.

Mike McNeil asked about what will happen with Sherrick Hall. Grant clarified the space management process, and reallocation of space will follow this policy. Further clarification was provided that Sherrick is 17,000 SQFT and the new building is 25,000 SQFT, and that nursing will more than likely use both buildings in some capacity.

Grant Petersen stated that the goal of the new facility is to increase graduation classes by 35% with this new facility.

Margueriete Kibodeaux stated that student sentiment reflects that they want this space to provide resources that are not available now in current facilities rather than just provide the same resources in a new space. This space is a hub for nursing students, and Sherrick will be a good nursing space as well.

Duane Morris asked about the retaining wall and what this space was. Grant Petersen clarified that this was a retention or terrace wall.

Durward Sobek asked about where we were in the design process and how final these plans were. Grant Petersen stated the project was 70% through the design documents phase and moving into the construction documents phase. He also clarified that estimating is underway as well and it is expected that what is being shown will be able to be delivered, and any big changes to the design and site will be brought back to UFPB.

Durward Sobek asked for clarity as to what the committee is voting on to recommend. Grant Petersen clarified that the committee is voting on the site and design of the building, and whether to recommend approval to the President. He provided further clarity to the process and UFPBs role.

Sreekala Bajwa questioned what the budget for the building is. Grant Petersen stated that construction cost is $19.5 Million, which is about $760 per square foot. Total project cost is about 25% more than that. John Scott clarified that it’s about $25 million total project cost for the Bozeman building. The cost for construction in Bozeman and Kalispell is much higher than the other sites in the state such as Billings.

Margueriete Kibodeaux asked if differing cohort sizes across the state were considered such as Billings be able to take more students, and if this factored into budgeting. Grant Petersen said yes that the Billings building will be a little larger but will have more student space as compared to Bozeman due to the cohort numbers being larger. John Scott said the number of classroom and lab spaces across the five campuses are identical, but the sizes of those spaces vary based on several factors.

 

The Vote: Chris Fastnow motions to approve, Sreekala Bajwa seconds. Unanimous vote to approve the Jones Hall Site and Design.