[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6324992,"mediaKeyId","2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649","parentId",2335185,"title","University of Minnesota asks Legislature for $200 million HEAPR and $20 million agricultural research design fund","audioSeconds",2315,"startMs",5000,"endMs",2320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649&start=5&end=2320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649/thumbnail_5000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324992/Minnesota/University-of-Minnesota-asks-Legislature-for-200-million-HEAPR-and-20-million-agricultural-research-design-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324992-56f44b5bebee7dcd5817dbfb288319b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901146&Signature=C61Ug-Jwb-dDV90rLegqORO-F5lUQkHm1ty~dVmEA85JsqkJP7-smUVGu~Xjx0czZuIu9T2KzEahoqYgJO2Ub45R4N~L3NPVXMTM2z8OidV8RoQbpaNhjbAbokG1eCs6Jz4Ts6AXAMasNokCoi4L7xUh-2WLpDYYKIZ8OTg4-K5OFDeNUolrMchMPNtdHeDERXTRjXd3GX~Xzc1YfvAn2jaY6CcFBfHH5zWioKcja0cVTOxtUNZGNhtBBJdxcjWojZ3lkyNj7rqxEETJjsHP-MnivCgRKqF1ZhhPKo0naOfVLj6eBfJMmI54XJeggJCpFucDxqOMoecITKHatcuWrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Senate Media Services","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The University of Minnesota asked the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 for $200 million in HEAPR (Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement) funding to address deferred maintenance across its system, and a separate $20 million request to complete design work for a new Future of Agriculture Research and Management (FARM) facility in southern Minnesota.

University President Rebecca Cunningham, who opened the presentation, and Alice Roberts Davis, vice president for university services, said the HEAPR request would fund more than 100 projects in more than 75 buildings across U of M campuses and that the system’s deferred maintenance backlog is nearly $6,000,000,000. Roberts Davis said roughly one-third of the university’s approximately 30,000,000 square feet — about 9,000,000 square feet — is in poor or critical condition and that state bond funding for higher education has fallen from as much as 50% of bonding allocations in earlier eras to about 10% when a bill is enacted.

The HEAPR appropriation would be used for life-safety, accessibility and reliability work, Roberts Davis said, citing examples including a safer railing option for the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge, replacement of natural gas lines in Crookston, repairs to leaky pipes in the 19‑story Moose Tower, and mechanical upgrades to the Food Science and Nutrition Building on the St. Paul campus. She told the committee that while buildings are safe today, delaying renewal increases emergency outages and long-term costs.

On FARM, Roberts Davis said the university has acquired more than 1,300 acres in Mower County and seeks $20 million for design to create a teaching, research and outreach farm using robotics, predictive analytics and other modern technologies to study soil health, crops, animals and downstream environmental impacts.

Committee members asked about the university’s prioritization process for HEAPR projects. Roberts Davis said priorities stem from decennial facility condition assessments, campus facilities input, square footage and building-condition scores; funds are then distributed with the Twin Cities campus receiving the largest share because it holds the most gross square footage.

Several senators praised a temporary barrier the university installed on the Washington Avenue bridge, saying it averted suicides. Senator Pappas and others urged permanent barriers, noting the university does not own the bridge. Cunningham and Roberts Davis said the university invested in temporary fencing to protect students even though the bridge is owned by Hennepin County.

Committee members also pressed the university on its indirect cost rate for federal research, which Cunningham said is among the lowest in the Big Ten; she said underinvestment in facilities has depressed the university’s indirect cost recovery and may forfeit tens of millions of federal dollars over several years.

The university concluded by noting a track record of quickly spending state appropriations for capital renewal and said predictable, regular HEAPR funding would allow multi‑year planning and cost‑effective repairs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Capital Investment - 02/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","The University of Minnesota told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 that it needs a predictable $200 million HEAPR appropriation to address a nearly $6 billion deferred‑maintenance backlog and seeks $20 million to complete design of an advanced agriculture research farm in Mower County.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324972,"Perpich Center for Arts Education seeks $4 million in asset preservation; governor recommends $1.5 million",788,5427000,6215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649&start=5427&end=6215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649/thumbnail_5427000.jpg","/articles/6324972/Minnesota/Perpich-Center-for-Arts-Education-seeks-4-million-in-asset-preservation-governor-recommends-15-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324972-0a07cbbe0b61bebb75815cc22c4e47a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901146&Signature=Lj15CLHgw4GgTHuQUAfr7kXiy0Gt8MntsHUqrZu5TzepSM1dzSQ2npZQxB~Qv2ueY-hYWPkuvzeNnF23YohqLv3WHrahqgFvpTLm6VzF2cOaR0IDoPtLQIaiVyXMxJgUZWJA7-6xtR5Yrv1YJMArOYSF4U9A07q292xM4SCQK~ojwmv6EuGmG1hXE1zxkK5D68WO1TSSLQNX9IVo6k-wJ4leaxl9RSAuZRplzyhqW2R~UVqHIgEJhz7-P13Ym7rVnL6Z-SKnk4rBWQMsRffUsKG96X0lnWnVJ7PH95jmtaWgbDQ7IcKNrYLNNMSRIJiWxHDYOMVF9iMyeOExSlXDqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leaders from the Perpich Center for Arts Education told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 they are seeking capital funding to repair the Gaia Building roof, fix drainage and loading‑dock surfaces, and replace an outdated building automation system.

Allegra Smiszek, interim executive director, said Perpich serves 153 eleventh‑ and twelfth‑grade arts students from across Minnesota and operates professional development programs and a statewide resource library for arts educators. She told the committee the Gaia Building’s roof replacement and failing precast exterior concrete panels are urgent and that pairing an HVAC upgrade with the roof work is the most cost‑effective approach.

Perpich requested $4,000,000 in asset preservation funds to address roughly half of its identified needs; Smiszek said the governor recommended $1,500,000 for the biennium. The center previously received $891,000 in 2023 toward a roof replacement but told senators that cost estimates have since increased; Perpich representatives said an additional $826,000 appears on their materials as needed beyond the prior appropriation.

Committee members asked about prior awards and the condition of precast exterior panels; Perpich staff said the panels show significant cracking and that delaying repairs increases risk. The center said replacing the aging automation system would improve energy efficiency and long‑term operating costs.

Perpich leaders asked lawmakers to prioritize the center’s asset preservation work to keep statewide professional development and arts programming operating safely and efficiently.","Interim Perpich executive director asked the committee for asset preservation funds to repair roofs, drainage and update an energy management system at the arts education center; the center requested $4 million and the governor recommended $1.5 million for the biennium.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324977,"Minnesota State Academies seek predesign and asset preservation funding for Faribault deaf and blind campuses",886,4512000,5398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649&start=4512&end=5398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649/thumbnail_4512000.jpg","/articles/6324977/Minnesota/Minnesota-State-Academies-seek-predesign-and-asset-preservation-funding-for-Faribault-deaf-and-blind-campuses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324977-d55973d2603569217a2b63cb57440ce0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901146&Signature=El9-McnHDcweJ8HhaV8x6-d0-YtiSw3bO~0cmpehdPePX3rB7BwbzCvigUdKcTNszAJQSNO9u1UQsD-RmuoiDRw0JdE8b4A17bdNSPx6EYifewgnsddz0hDGNls~t2aCzu59OvDzFC94762uGo84xkKU9A4m6Lg5lqL5z6UxrVhKZSD7XDCUJ0OmHgLed640Pqt-alsVbIbqijT7E-1A0G1EaWLWx0PWMMYJ-rhU-iwgrh7vOYo4yiMa~BeupFSHCGlyYUYVn8QJi3zxxgqLERNMxlzZtkHFtEgayCBGN5DDONUDUXNV4aU12CW6IWuitL6mSecesRVAslp6iq598A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Minnesota State Academies in Faribault told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 they are seeking state bonding support for predesign work and asset preservation to address aging campus facilities at both the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind.

Superintendent Terry Wilding said the two residential campuses serve students statewide and provide specialized instruction, mobility training, braille services, and residential programs. The deaf campus includes buildings dating from the 1860s to the 1940s, several of which Wilding said are not fully usable or accessible. The academies requested predesign funding to evaluate and design replacement for up to six buildings on the deaf campus to improve energy efficiency, safety and accessibility.

On the blind campus, Wilding said the therapy pool dates from the 1950s, requires substantial ongoing repairs and currently relies on a single lift to get children into the water. The academies asked for predesign to evaluate a zero‑entry (walk‑in) pool solution that would allow wheelchair access without a lift, which staff said would be safer and more efficient for students and staff.

Wilding said the academies cannot levy or pursue local bonding and are wholly dependent on the state’s bonding process. He reported that academies’ enrollment increased this year, with about 100 students at the deaf school and 50 at the blind school, and noted prior 2023 appropriations included $2.1 million in asset preservation and $4.6 million for dorm renovation, which is now in design and under way.

No formal action was taken at the hearing.","Superintendent Terry Wilding requested predesign funding for replacement of multiple aging buildings at the Minnesota State Academies and a replacement of an aging therapy pool; academy officials also sought asset preservation funding to address ongoing repair and accessibility needs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324982,"Department of Education seeks funds for competitive library construction grants; governor recommends $900,000",495,4002000,4497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649&start=4002&end=4497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649/thumbnail_4002000.jpg","/articles/6324982/Minnesota/Department-of-Education-seeks-funds-for-competitive-library-construction-grants-governor-recommends-900000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324982-2fbff7a4cc518465e3613daeb69f9397/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901146&Signature=C1xtg6u9R0Hs9tPX0mSWSUyI1woiaOPBfphd2krjJxX8zWt3zRj2mDc9bAEMKZP9K0BD9t2z4NdnblZYIJJ4~kdGf3hZ5r5roTYigKvKlnHskx9cZDfbdvlca28sZM4Z0Z~ftqRb0stpU2sZZbH-RZqy0VDHUHu3deTNqb~qGyYmgrDALZKFJctpWu8lvLh4u-EQ6p4EiMeQPeYIoqTalmAAx2KzCSgQcQ3jK36hOMpFHYP23m69ZbDTej0OfHbQC6jR6wwH4nTPKt8DxSoAlkfGWOmH5bpt60lCPxG5A06c50Bt09fOKpfxNIKDg-b3j-bIYxQ~3PCY3o7f1Ude0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Minnesota Department of Education told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 that the governor’s 2025 recommendation includes $900,000 for the competitive library construction grant program, which supports improvement and accessibility projects at public libraries statewide.

Bobbie Burnham, assistant commissioner in the Office of Teaching and Learning, said Minnesota has 12 regional public library systems, 359 public library locations and at least one public library in every county. Department figures include 15,400,000 library visits in 2023, roughly 56,000,000 items borrowed and more than 135,000 community meetings and public events. Burnham said libraries are reporting higher demand for in‑person borrowing, community meeting space and upgraded HVAC and telehealth‑ready meeting rooms.

The program offers two project types: improvement grants (maximum award $1,000,000) and accessibility grants (maximum award $450,000). Both require a 50% local match and applications are reviewed through a competitive peer review process. The department said the program, funded intermittently since 1994, has made 170 awards in its lifetime; average award size is just over $100,000. The last major appropriations were $2.95 million in October 2020 and $4,000,000 in May 2023; awards from FY24 totaled $4,000,000 and supported 10 projects.

Burnham told the committee an estimated statewide need for library construction and repair exceeds $187,000,000 and that 45 libraries have recently identified needs for repairs, expansion, or new construction. Committee members indicated support for higher funding levels than the governor’s recommended $900,000.","The Department of Education presented the library construction competitive grant program to the committee, describing program history, 2023–24 activity and a governor recommendation of $900,000 for 2025; program requires 50% local match and awards improvement and accessibility grants.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324987,"Minnesota State requests $200 million HEAPR and operating funds to repair, replace and demolish aging campus space",1673,2321000,3994000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649&start=2321&end=3994","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335185-79cfb1c8cec7b11a5bd5062f4e7c8649/thumbnail_2321000.jpg","/articles/6324987/Minnesota/Minnesota-State-requests-200-million-HEAPR-and-operating-funds-to-repair-replace-and-demolish-aging-campus-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324987-884c7ef8866160c46b9edcb8accb6f8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770901146&Signature=fLHpj5HfGa0cCq6ENsi1p8XvP3pzdjX3GYaHa43k7OmFE1NTpdsPb3gyKmlhdsusaH8o~CdIEG9ldgPcV4EH9TvSkBT8qvjmTECi~E1mV7WiKuwOzJR3Nucq3zB3LASDWDKEAzduNHfJPcQwMQZb949ZPGc9Nl4AoF84d4zgUtaM6me0RCn70qi~dgHo56DNHjzX9YBn6jpNVuq536~H2kHqeLkChDKJCwLDkkR-PqyMhaHc~MCD06g56hRL2rjpK~xLjV3AJYSUg2jww0pnIQOgggbE-yyhHkr23FtoNOrAbI8o23VP6SnxF2p~4B0Xecqn1MfIDhroPqsELjScAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Minnesota State officials told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 that the system’s top capital priority is a $200 million HEAPR request to renew aging campus facilities and that they are also seeking operating budget dollars for demolition and repair-and-replacement activities.

Chancellor Scott Olsen and Associate Vice Chancellor Brian Swanson described the system as the fourth‑largest higher‑education network in the U.S., with 33 colleges and universities on 54 campuses and roughly 28.5 million square feet across 843 structures. Olsen said Minnesota State has 364 buildings over 50 years old and that 40% of buildings represent 60% of system square footage. Swanson said deferred‑renewal backlogs are growing as capital funding and operating resources have not kept pace with inflation and maintenance needs.

Minnesota State’s 2025 request centers on HEAPR as the most flexible capital funding to renew building envelopes, plumbing, HVAC, accessibility and code needs. The system also is seeking operating‑budget proposals: $25 million non‑recurring for demolition (to reduce excess square footage) and $50 million non‑recurring for repair and replacement (an operating complement to HEAPR). Swanson said the system is pursuing a “no net new growth” strategy and has identified 1.3 million square feet of space that could be demolished if adequate funds are available.

The system presented 65 HEAPR projects across campuses and 14 larger renovation or replacement projects, five of which already have design funding and will seek construction funding next. Olsen and Swanson emphasized that operating funds and tuition cannot sustainably substitute for capital renewal without curtailing programs. Committee members asked about prioritization and return‑on‑investment metrics; senators suggested the system target projects that produce the largest economic or workforce impacts for the state, including health‑care programs and hands‑on technical training.

No formal actions or votes were taken during the hearing portion of the presentation.","Minnesota State officials told the Capital Investment Committee the system’s greatest need is HEAPR renewal funding ($200M) and additional operating support for demolition and repair; the system emphasized it is overbuilt for current enrollment and seeks targeted renewal, replacement and demolition financing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

University of Minnesota asks Legislature for $200 million HEAPR and $20 million agricultural research design fund

Perpich Center for Arts Education seeks $4 million in asset preservation; governor recommends $1.5 million

Minnesota State Academies seek predesign and asset preservation funding for Faribault deaf and blind campuses

Department of Education seeks funds for competitive library construction grants; governor recommends $900,000

Minnesota State requests $200 million HEAPR and operating funds to repair, replace and demolish aging campus space