CALS hosted a teleconference on April 7 to share updates on the project. At the time, the project was near the end of the 35% design review, the review of the project’s “preliminary design.” The review involved the architects sharing the 35% design plan with key groups—state, campus and building users—and collecting comments from everybody. These comments are helping to guide the Design Team’s decisions as they move the project forward.

Another aspect of the 35% design review was an independent cost estimate. Project leaders shared some of the key budget estimate numbers, as well as options to further reduce costs. They shared the good news: Compared to last fall, significant progress had been made in reducing the project’s overall price tag. A major portion of the budget gap faced at that time had been closed—and efforts continue to look for ways to further cut costs.

During the teleconference, the budget was discussed in two “pieces,” the budget numbers for the building and the budget numbers for equipment and equipment infrastructure (such as installation, piping, valves, pumps, controls, etc.). This was a convenient way to break down the numbers for discussion, even though it’s one project with one overall budget, with the design plans taking into account the facility’s equipment needs.

Dave Stroik reported that the building part of the budget came in over budget by $1M. Already, however, his team had identified ways to save around $600,000. Those options included changes to the entry, façade and penthouse detailing, as well as foregoing concrete masonry units on the facility’s cooler wall panels. Cutting the remaining $400,000 will be much more challenging. The Design Team will have to consider changes to: dairy brick, size of loading dock, extra loading dock, size of milk intake and other options.

Lyle Clem reported on the equipment budget, which came in over budget by $1.8M. The equipment budget was at $8M at the time of the teleconference, with approximately $3M for the Dairy Plant and around $5M for the CDR. The Dairy Plant’s costs were split approximately 50/50 between equipment and equipment infrastructure. The CDR’s costs were split approximately 75/25 between equipment and infrastructure. To meet the budget goal, it was noted that some desired pieces of equipment will have to be deferred.

Milestone date: Friday, April 7, 2017