CORVALLIS, Ore. (KMTR) - Another benefit for higher education in Corvallis has come through the 2012 legislative session.
Some major new facilities have gotten the green light on the Oregon State University campus.
The changes include demolishing historic Snell Hall, which was built in 1959 to accomodate post World War II enrollment. According to OSU spokesperson Todd Simmons, Snell now hosts various student organizations and offices. Yet, it still has numerous structural deficits.
OSU will also add two new buildings and remodel a third.
The legislature approved the $85 million dollar bond for construction at the end of their session after a number of delays. Simmons said the delays were likely due to hesitance about the debt capacity and economy.
The new student center will replace Snell Hall. Memorial Union's East wing will be remodeled for about $9 million dollars. In addition, OSU will add a $29 million dollar residence hall.
Students will end up paying back the money through a self-proposed and accepted $48 dollar payment.
Oregon State educates about 25,000 students and told NewsSource 16 the buildings and renovations are desperately needed.
"As a state university system, we've had a number of deferred maintenance issues throughout the system - really hundreds of millions of dollars in deffered maintenance issues," said Simmons. "The students need it. They have an expectation that they are going to provide those kinds of services for them."
The Beaver Store, also known as the OSU Bookstore, will move closer to Reser Stadium. A proposal for a new classroom building will hopefully pass through the legislature in the future.
The first construction is planned for January 2013 at the Memorial Union.
