Construction and renovation contracting opportunities will increase across the country as more than 140 community health centers throughout the United States will have immediate needs met by funding awards announced recently by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A total of $727 million in funding that will be used to expand access to health care through the construction and renovation of many of the nation's health care centers.

The funding comes from the federal Affordable Care Act and will help centers across the nation meet the needs of the nearly 19 million patients who seek preventive and primary care services. There are some 7,900 service delivery sites around the United States that provide these services regardless of a patient's ability to pay. Service charges are based on a patient's income. 

"Many of these community health centers need more modern space to meet the increasing patient demand for services," said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. "These funds will help community health centers build new facilities and modernize their current sites." The Affordable Care Act will provide $11 billion in funding over the next five years for the operation, expansion and construction of community health centers across the nation.

Among the largest awards were $12 million allocations to each of the following: Family Health Centers of San Diego, California; the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois; the Mount Vernon, New York, Neighborhood Health Center; the East Harlem Council for Human Services, Inc. in New York; the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in Cornelius, Oregon; the Travis County Health Care District in Austin, Texas; Community Health Care in Tacoma, Washington; and the Yakima Valley Farmworkers Clinic in Toppenish, Washington. The smallest award was $300,000 to the Park Duvalle Community Health Center Inc., in Louisville, Kentucky. To view the complete list of awards, click here and look under "Recent Reports."

For information about these and other opportunities,

contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.

College lays out plans for additional construction projects

Construction projects at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, will soon add to its current list of construction projects. At a recent meeting, the Board of Visitors Committee on Buildings and Grounds heard an update from Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Director John Wells (pictured), outlining projects at his institution. In addition to projects nearing completion and under construction, including the $3.7 million planned Eastern Shore Seawater Lab at VIMS, a $1.2 million shoreline erosion control project, development of a comprehensive master plan that will cost $650,000 and $300,000 in electrical upgrades at Chesapeake Bay Hall. Wells noted that other upcoming projects include a Consolidated Science Research Building, replacement of the oyster hatchery and addition of a new research vessel. The board recommended the demolition of 14 older buildings on the VIMS campus to allow for new construction. Main college officials also report that utility upgrades will be installed throughout both the historic and old campuses, affecting heating, cooling and water utilities. The board also is studying the possibility of a new fraternity house complex to replace 1960s facilities. A feasibility study is under way on the project.

School district voters say yes to maintenance, but no to athletic projects
Voters in the Mat-Su School District in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska recently gave their approval to a $34 million bond issue that would provide for a number of maintenance projects in its schools but said no to a $9 million referendum for school athletic improvements. The bond issue that passed will provide for replacement of school roofs, upgrades to fire alarms and removal of asbestos from aging schools. An elementary school will also see a boiler replaced.

Statewide vote set in Washington for $505 million in energy retrofits

A statewide measure will be on ballots across the state of Washington, as voters will decide a $505 million bond referendum. The bond proceeds would be used to pay for energy retrofits at public schools and colleges throughout the state. The ballot issue has garnered the support of teacher unions, labor and contractors. If successful, the bond issue would pay for replacing older pipes and heating and cooling systems and installing energy-efficient improvements. The money "will go a long way," according to Kevin Laverty (pictured), a Mukilteo School Board member and president of the Washington State School Directors' Association. Public schools and colleges would compete for grants from the funds to pay for construction projects.

Alaska school district voters OK maintenance project bond issue
Voters in the Sitka, Alaska, school district recently approved two bond measures that will lead to major maintenance projects at Blatchley Middle School and Pacific High School. The high school projects will result from the second proposition that allows the use of some of the local sales tax receipts and state funding. The bond issue for the middle school authorized $5.6 million for repairs to the mechanical and electrical systems, refurbishing the floors, doors and windows. The state will pay for 70 percent of the costs.

Stimulus funds to be used for renovations at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 A $1.83 million federal stimulus award to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be used for renovations to expand its high-power laser research capabilities. The National Science Foundation-administered funds will be used to renovate the Behlen Laboratory basement and sub-basement and to convert outdated physics labs and offices into a state-of-the-art lab. Prem Paul (pictured), UNL vice chancellor for research and economic development, said the renovations will make UNL and the United States "one of the most powerful and versatile research laser laboratories in the world." The expansion will include a nearly 5,000-square-foot area to house five laboratories, collaborative research space and a chamber for a second laser that will be built. Construction is scheduled to be completed by fall 2012.

South Dakota universities seeking $100M in sports facilities
When the state Board of Regents in South Dakota meets today and tomorrow, they will consider a feasibility study regarding some $100 million in sports facilities being sought by South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. SDSU officials are hoping for a new football stadium and an indoor multi-sport practice center on its Brookings campus, while USD is seeking a new multi-purpose arena. The USD project in Vermillion would include a new facility for basketball and volleyball and renovations to the DakotaDome. The feasibility study will first look for ways to fund the projects. Officials estimate the new stadium for SDSU would cost $55 million, with the practice facility carrying a $35 million price tag. The USD facility would cost approximately $32.5 million. USD Athletic Director David Sayler (pictured) said the DakotaDome is more than 30 years old and is the state's only indoor football field. But he also pointed out that the university is "outgrowing it space-wise." The new football stadium under consideration would seat 20,000 to 22,000 with individual suites and artificial turf. The indoor practice center would include a synthetic field for practices, a running track, offices, lockers, strength and conditioning rooms and areas for sports medicine.
 

School repairs will be paid for from proceeds of bond vote
Roof repairs to schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough in Alaska will be made thanks to a successful recent bond election. Voters in the borough approved allowing the borrowing of up to $17 million in general obligation bonds to pay for roof repairs on area school roofs.

California school district to decide $52 million bond referendum
With upgrades to science labs, career/technical and vocational classrooms at stake, voters in the El Rancho (California) Unified School District will soon decide a $52 million bond extension. If approved, it would add another 20 years of repayment to the district's current facilities bond. Also included in the proposal are safety, security and energy-efficient improvements on some campuses. Saying the schools are "in dire need of repairs," Trustee Rachel Canchola (pictured) stressed that passage of the bond extension would not increase taxes, only lengthen the repayment period for the district's $49.5 million bond measure approved in 2003.  Also on tap if the proposal passes are modernization of the gym at El Rancho High School, modernization of locker rooms and performance of a renewable energy assessment to see if projects such as solar power and use of reclaimed water would help cut energy expenditures.
 

Nebraska's Memorial Stadium seeking expansion, improvements

An expansion and improvements to Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Nebraska is being sought by athletic department officials. The UN department has proposed a $55.5 million budget for the board of regents, including some from private donations and bond revenue generated by the addition of seating in the facility. The expansion - planned for the east side of the stadium - would allow for attendance of 90,000, with some 5,000 new seats being added. Some 400-500 of the seats would be within 30 new indoor/outdoor suites, another 2,000-2,500 would be new club seats and 2,500 to 2,800 would be new general seats, including seating for persons with disabilities. It also would feature a grand lobby and expanded concourse. Another 40,000 square feet of interior shell space would also be created, to serve as space for future growth and future research office and lab space. "We need to find ways to generate additional revenue for athletics as well as for the University at large, and we see great opportunity to do that with the east stadium expansion and with our partnership with UNL Research," said UN Athletics Director Tom Osborne (pictured). If the plan is approved construction could begin in November of next year, with a fall 2013 completion date. 
 

For information about these and other opportunities,

contact Reagan Weil or Richard Hartmann at 512-531-3900.

Are you a government official who has moved into a new position or to a new agency? Did you recently retire? Were you recently named to an executive-level position at a state-supported college, university or community college? Have you secured a new job as superintendent of a public school? If so, we'd like to hear from you - and so would your friends and colleagues - for our "Where Are They Now" column. Just drop us a line at editor@spartnerships.com and let us know about your previous job and where you are now. This week we feature Dr. Sona Andrews.

After earning her bachelor's degree from Worcester State College in Massachusetts and her master's and Ph.D. from Arizona State University, Sona Andrews began her educational and professional career in higher education. From 1981 to 1988, she was an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. From there, she spent six years as associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was named a full professor at the university in 1994 and in 1995, while continuing to teach, she was named assistant vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, a position she held until 2000. Andrews was named American Council on Education Fellow at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from 2000-2001, and in 2001, was chosen as associate vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She held that post until 2003, when she was named vice provost of Academic Affairs. In 2004, she moved to Boise State University, where she served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of geosciences. Andrews was recently appointed by the Oregon University System chancellor to the position of vice chancellor of Academic Affairs, which she will assume Dec. 1. Andrews will be stationed at the Portland campus.

Robert Buckler (top left), chief operating officer for the City of Detroit, has retired from his position of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the city due to health reasons and his duties will be assigned to other chief executives while a search for his replacement is conducted. Pittsburgh City Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt (top center) is resigning from his job Dec. 31 in anticipation of being named president of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, after being named the sole finalist. Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez (top right), deputy director for plans, policy and strategy for the U.S. European Command has been selected as the new commandant of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, effective Nov. 1. Jaime Aguilera, who has served as city manager in Sunland Park, New Mexico, since October of last year and is a former city official for the city of Truth or Consequences, has mutually agreed with the city to end his contract as the city's chief administrator. East Lansing, Michigan, Police Chief Tom Wibert, a third generation officer who has served in that department since 1985, the last five years as chief, is headed to a new job as chief of police in New Braunfels, Texas, effective Nov. 8. Columbia, Missouri, City Manager Bill Watkins (middle right), who began his duties as city manager in January 2006, has announced that he will retire in March. Amherst College President Anthony W. Marx (middle center), has been hired to be president of the New York Public Library, replacing Paul LeClerc, who will retire next summer. Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman (middle left), who has served in his position since January 2009, when he replaced Arne Duncan who was named U.S. Education secretary, has announced he will leave his job before the Chicago mayor leaves office in mid-May. Former Syracuse City Administrator Rodger Worthen has indicated he will accept the position of South Weber, Utah, city manager, replacing former City Manager Matt Dixon, who left for a position in South Ogden. Joe Smith, former Bowling Green, Missouri, city administrator, has been offered the same job for the city of Hallsville, Missouri. Fort Worth City Manager Dale Fisseler (bottom left), who has served in that capacity since 2007 when he replaced Charles Boswell, will resign from his post after working for the city since 1990. Lucia M. Bliss (bottom center), executive director of the Jefferson Community College Foundation in New York, is resigning from the position she has held for the last year and a half and Craig D. Johnson, vice president for community engagement, will oversee the foundation until a new permanent director is found. Larry Whitworth (bottom right), Washtenaw (Michigan) Community College President for the last 12 years, has submitted his resignation. Brad Williams, superintendent of the Bloomington (Texas) Independent School District, has announced he is leaving his position, and Dolores Warnell-Filmore has been named interim superintendent. Major Paul King, 28-year veteran of the Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Police Department and son of former Chief Ted King, has been named Pawtucket Police Chief, replacing the retiring Chief George Kelley III. New Albany Police Chief Greg Crabtree has announced he is stepping down as chief, effective immediately. Mary Blair-Hoeft, who has been serving as interim administrator for the City of Byron, Minnesota, has been named city administrator, replacing previous administrator Jerry Henricks, who was fired in May of last year. Anne Marrin, former assistant city manager of Highwood, Illinois, will begin serving a new city administrator for Prospect Heights, Illinois, following the retirement of Pam Arrigoni.