Dear Roadrunners,
Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Department of Facilities has been working tirelessly this year on a number of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. These projects include the Gina and Frank Day Health Institute Simulation and Skills Labs and Tower, the related domino projects to include 12 other department renovations, over 60 campus signage updates, redesign efforts for multiple College of Aerospace, Computing, Engineering and Design spaces and the School of Social Work, and various program plans, massing and feasibility studies to support the PE/Event Center, Classroom to Career Hub and Student Housing.
This next year will bring many more exciting and value-added projects to campus. That’s why the search for a new director of Planning, Design and Construction is so critical to the University’s operations and mission. I invite all employees to attend two open forums next week, hosted by the Administration Branch, that will give faculty and staff members a chance to meet the two finalists for this important role.
Forum No. 1 — Candidate Martha Nelson
Tuesday
1:15-2 p.m.
Jordan Student Success Building, Room 330C
Microsoft Teams Link: Join the meeting now.
Meeting ID: 232 218 758 76
Passcode: NXUeXM
Forum No. 2 — Candidate Gargi Duttgupta
Sept. 27
1:15-2 p.m.
Jordan Student Success Building, Room 350A
Microsoft Teams Link: Join the meeting now.
Meeting ID: 219 891 481 658
Passcode: a2FpwA
Construction update
Now that the Sim Labs project is complete, our team has begun focusing efforts on the newly funded Gina and Frank Day Health Institute Tower. Led by the Facilities Planning, Design and Construction team, the University has selected Wember Inc. as our owner’s representative. We’re excited to continue this partnership. In addition, we’ve selected SmithGroup Architects as the design firm; design work will begin in October. The contractor request for proposal is out to market, with an anticipated November hire date.
Estimated project schedule:
Design phase:
- Programming/schematic design — begins in October
- Design development — begins in February
- Construction documents — begins next August
Tentative construction dates
- Construction start date — begins in November 2025
- Anticipated completion date — May 2027
The Auraria Higher Education Center is wrapping up Project B, which occurred within the West and Central classrooms this summer. It continues to work diligently through a handful of specific heating and cooling issues. Please submit all work orders directly to AHEC (LINK?). Planning has begun for Project B2, which has a similar scope and complexity. This project is slated to begin next Spring Break and should be completed by next fall semester. Buildings included are the PE/Event Center and Cherry Creek. Impacted stakeholders have been contacted as AHEC and the Planning, Design and Construction team work to minimize disruption.
Please submit questions or feedback to Martha Nelson, senior project manager for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction.
Lunch With Larry
As a reminder, all employees are invited to participate in the Lunch With Larry series, which aims to foster open communication and collaboration across campus.
While Lunch With Larry is a chance for me to share new initiatives, progress on ongoing projects and strategic plans affecting our community, it’s also employees’ platform to bring forward concerns, suggestions or feedback directly to senior administration; seek clarifications and gain deeper insights; and meet colleagues from across campus.
Lunch With Larry brown-bag lunches will vary between virtual and in-person meetings, accommodating our diverse community and ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate.
Lunch With Larry
- First Friday of the month (next offering: Oct. 4)
- Noon-1 p.m.
I begin each session with brief remarks on recent campus developments or topics of interest, followed by an open forum for questions, discussions and sharing of ideas.
Click here to join the meeting.
Contact Jennifer Dechant, executive assistant, to learn more.
Safety Trainings
Finally, visit the Auraria Campus website to sign up for free emergency-management training opportunities, including:
Active Harmer Preparedness Training
- Monday, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Oct. 29, 9-10:30 a.m.
- Nov. 20, 9-10:30 a.m.
Stop the Bleed — Civilian Trauma Training
- Monday, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Thank you all for continuing to build a vibrant and inclusive community at MSU Denver.
Sincerely,
Larry Sampler
