The influx of private capital into public projects continues and as the trend grows throughout the world, public officials in America are moving in that direction as well. This year has been an historic one for public-private partnerships (P3s) and some countries have become quite aggressive in seeking out private-sector partners. The most common P3 projects are related to transportation, but social infrastructure P3s are becoming more prevalent as well.

The International Transport Forum, held in Germany recently, attracted government leaders and private-sector executives from 54 nations, including representatives from the United States. Conference presentations focused on all the normal topics, but one of particular interest dealt with competition for private-sector capital and experience. 

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Pennsylvania's Dauphin County considering five road projects for funding

Pennsylvania's first county - and one of the first counties in the country - to create an infrastructure bank is gearing up for its first series of loans to be made next year. The Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank plans to loan $4.3 million to help fund five transportation projects in the county.

The county announced its plans for its own infrastructure bank in March. Funding for the bank will come from the county's liquid fuel tax money as well as a loan from the state infrastructure bank. The liquid fuel tax money comes from the 12-cents-per-gallon state tax levied on all liquid fuels. In the past, the county used its share of those funds for bridge maintenance and repair since it has few roads to maintain. The county recently completed its county-owned bridge maintenance and replacement program, so the fuel tax funds were repurposed.

"It's a good problem to have," said County Commissioner Jeff Haste (pictured) when the county announced plans for its infrastructure bank.

The initial investment in the infrastructure funding will be through a loan to the county from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank (PIB). The county bank will eventually be funded by its share of the liquid fuel tax money.

The five municipalities seeking funding from the county's infrastructure bank include:

• Harrisburg - $350,000 for three road projects - repaving Hale Avenue between Rudy Road and Berryhill Street, Pentwater and Briarcliff Roads in the city's Bellvue Park neighborhood and South 17th Street from Sumner Street to Hanover Street;
• Derry Township - $256,960 to fund installation of a traffic signal to address congestion problems at the intersection of Homestead Rd. and State Route 743;
• Londonderry Township - $925,000 to replace bridges on Beagle Road, Braeburn Road and Hollendale Road;
• Middletown - $1.5 million loan and $350,000 grant for a streetscape project with a total price tag of $4.1 million that will replace a century-old sewer system; and
• West Hanover Township - $825,000 to mitigate congestion at a five-point intersection at Rt. 39, Douglas and Devonshire Roads.

Haste noted that if any of the projects are not approved for funding, the county will not have to play interest on the money borrowed from the PIB.

Contractor sought to take over E-ZPass, cash toll collections when contract expires

A request for proposals (RFP) for a contractor to take over the E-ZPass and cash toll collections for the state's turnpike was issued recently by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. The Authority is seeking bidders who are interested in securing the contract that expires in 2016.

The current contract, held by Xerox, expires on July 31, 2016, according to Turnpike Authority Executive Director Veronique Hakim (pictured). The RFP marks the first step in the procurement process, said Hakim. She noted that the goal of the RFP is to take the Authority out of the equation in manual collection of tolls and administration of toll operations.

Already, nearly 80 percent of drivers in the New Jersey Turnpike pay their tolls using the E-ZPass program instead of manual payment. Hakim noted that the bulk of toll business on the Turnpike is through electronic tolls, which has led officials to look toward privatization of the toll collection and administration. Hakim said Authority officials are confident privatization of those services could save millions of dollars. 

Washington State regents approve major capital expenditure projects

More than $22 million in capital projects were approved by the Board of Regents of Washington State University (WSU) at their recent meeting. Among the top spending items was the approval of a $10 million project for land acquisition, design and pre-construction for a new classroom and office building at North Puget Sound at Everett. The funds were appropriated by the Washington Legislature earlier this year for the design and pre-construction of the 95,000-square-foot facility that will be located on the Everett Community College campus. Management and operations responsibility for the college were previously transferred to WSU and will focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Other projects approved include:

• $2.4 million for design and construction of improvements to the lower soccer field at WSU Pullman, including installation of a field drainage system, field turf, field lighting and improvement communications for television broadcasting;
• $2.1 million for design and construction of the Agricultural Technology Building addition at WSU Prosser;
• $2.79 million for construction of the Viticulture Building addition at WSU Prosser;
• $1.65 million for design and construction of the Johnson Annex renovation at WSU Pullman;
• $1.6 million for the WSU Pullman Johnson Hall roof replacement at WSU Pullman; and
• $2.02 million for design and pre-construction of the Troy Hall renovation at WSU Pullman.

Carolina Coliseum may be renovated to create hub for growing campus

The 45-year-old Carolina Coliseum at the University of South Carolina will soon get a makeover. The 12,000-seat coliseum will be transformed into classrooms and laboratories, student services facility and student union and practice facility for the Gamecock basketball teams. With a price tag of $125 million, the renovation funding is being sought by university officials through its budget request to the governor and General Assembly. However, USC President Harris Pastides (pictured) said the school is not asking for the money for next year. He said it is a project "we have begun thinking about." Pastides said in his September State of the University speech that he would freeze tuition rates at the state's flagship university for three years in exchange for full state funding for increasing cost of the school. He also promised not to make any special funding requests, which means the money for the coliseum transformation might not be sought until 2017-18. The proposed renovation would add 485,000 square feet of space, including 100,000 square feet of classroom and lab space. It would include office for class registration, tuition payment, financial aid, admissions and tutoring in a central location instead of spread throughout the campus as it is now. It would give student activities additional space and give the basketball teams their own practice courts.

University of Texas sets aside funding for new campus in South Texas

The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System recently approved spending of $196 million to help establish a new campus in South Texas. The University of Texas at Brownsville and The University of Texas-Pan American are being combined and a new medical school will be added. Among the projects approved by the Regents are a $70 million science building in Hidalgo County on what is now the UT-Pan American campus, $54 million for a medical building in Edinburg, $54 million for capital improvements at the new university campus to be located in Cameron County and $18 million to purchase facilities from the Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, which is ending its longtime relationship with UT-Brownsville.

Connecticut higher education institutions to present plan for construction needs

A backlog of construction projects among the state's four universities and 12 community colleges have the Connecticut State College and Universities system preparing a plan to ensure the $836 million in necessary renovations and deferred construction projects have a schedule for priority spending. A consulting firm recently reported on its system-ordered construction needs, calling the backlog "significant." Gregory Gray (pictured), the president of the Board of Regents, which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, said he hopes to have a systemwide plan to give to the governor and legislature by February of next year. Although $123 million has been spent throughout the system in recent years, only about a third of that funding has been spent for upkeep of current facilities. The bulk was spent on new construction, which means the maintenance backlog continues to grow. At least one state senator has stated that more attention needs to be given to existing facilities before new facilities are built. The state's four universities that offer bachelor's degrees will get $380 million over the next four years for new construction and renovations.

Carlsbad school district to face $60 million bond referendum

The Carlsbad school district school board recently approved a bond referendum for February, at which time voters will decide a $60 million issue. If successful, the bond would be used to build four elementary schools, but there will also be language in the bond issue that would allow an option to use funds for improvements to school grounds, for technology upgrades and to add to current facilities and furnish them. If the bonds are approved, school officials say the new schools will be built two at a time. The bond schedule requires $30 million in 2014 and a second $30 million for 2016. Officials say the cost to update the buildings for current needs, which include wiring for technology, would be significantly more than the cost of new construction.

Louisiana parish voters approve borrowing $30 million for public works projects

Voters in the St. John the Baptist Parish in Louisiana recently approved borrowing $30 million to fund a variety of public works projects. Much of the funding will be dedicated to drainage work. General obligation bonds will be issued and repaid through property tax receipts, although the bond fund repayment will not require a tax increase. Included among the projects to be funded by the bonds are:

• $6 million to build and upgrade public buildings;
• $13 million to build and upgrade drains, drainage canals, pumps and pumping plants, dikes and levees;
• $5 million to build and improve waterworks;
• $3 million to build, repair and upgrade parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities; and
• $3 million to construct, buy and improve roads and bridges.

County in Washington votes to build new $150 million courthouse

A new nine-story, $150-million courthouse has been approved by the Snohomish County (Washington) Council. The county already is working with an architect on the design for the facility, with groundbreaking expected sometime in early 2015. County Council Chair Stephanie Wright (pictured) called the vote on the new facility "a very challenging decision." She said county officials are seeking to ensure that the county gets its money's worth in a facility expected to serve county residents for the next 75 years. The new facility will include space for superior and district courts, the clerk's office, the office of public defense and the prosecuting attorney's office. The new facility will have increased security measures over the old building as well as incorporating sustainable building strategies. The existing facility will be demolished when the new courthouse is completed, probably in early 2017.

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P3 being considered for construction of Maryland high school

A public-private partnership is under consideration for the construction of a new high school in Crofton, Maryland. Cathy Vitale (pictured), member of the Maryland House of Delegates, is drafting legislation for the upcoming General Assembly session that would allow a builder to build a school on county property and provide its maintenance of effort funding instead of the school district doing so, with the county leasing the building. It would not be the first time the school system has had a private-sector partner. A developer two years ago funded a $2 million addition to a local high school to get permission to build homes in the area. Hundreds of students from Crofton attend high schools in other areas, and residents are hopeful a new high school in Crofton would mean they could attend school there with classmates they have attended school with in recent years. While there is talk about overhauling a current school complex in Millersville for a high school, school officials say that facility needs to be replaced.

Developers hoping for P3 in Kansas for apartments, retail spaces

Plans are being studied for a proposed construction project in Overland Park, Kansas, that would include new apartments and retail spaces. The public-private partnership would involve public funding, as developers are seeking about $3 million in public funds to build a parking garage to serve the $350 million development. The property would first have to be rezoned for commercial building. While some residents are opposed to retail in the area where they live, city council members have asked for public hearings to be held regarding the development and the use of tax dollars. The first public hearing is slated for later this month.

Public-private partnership will expand community college campus in Mississippi

The Gulf Coast Community College in Harrison County, Mississippi, will soon be expanding with a new campus in the residential community of Tradition. Harrison County Supervisor Connie Rockco (pictured) said the $12 million project includes building a school of nursing at Tradition, using Hurricane Katrina recovery money for construction of a facility on land donated to the school by Tradition. Tradition has also committed to investing another $12 million for student housing on the property. The goal of the new nursing school is to help address a growing problem along the Gulf Coast and in Mississippi - a need for more than 4,000 nurses now and 4,880 by 2016 in addition to the nurses currently being graduated. The proposed new school will be able to accommodate 800 new nursing enrollees. An official expects this initial investment to eventually produce $70 million in investments over the next five to 10 years, and has the potential to create 2,500 new jobs in Mississippi. The agreement also calls on the college to provide $2 million toward the purchase of equipment and supplies for the new facility. Groundbreaking is slated for early next year and could begin enrolling students by fall 2015.

Alabama housing complex to benefit from $3 million makeover

A former apartment complex in Huntsville, Alabama, is about to get a $3 million makeover. To be renamed Spring Branch, the facility will receive exterior upgrades that include new facades, a community garden, clubhouse and splash park. Interior renovations will include new flooring, cabinets, HVAC units, water heaters, plumbing fixtures, countertops, appliances and more. The facility will also include a computer learning center for residents. Wi-Fi access will also be available and the facility will include a laundry facility for residents. Both public- and private-sector funding will be involved in the makeover. The funding will include the sale of tax credits administered by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, a bank loan of $1.67 million and $690,000 in debt provided by the city Community Development Office. The garden is being paid for by a $20,000 grant from the Jane K. Lowe Foundation. The refurbishing of the newly renamed facility will provide more affordable housing choices for residents of Huntsville. The rent will range from $525 per month to $650 per month, depending on the number of bedrooms of the unit. The developer has converted 90 two-bedroom units in the old facility into 70 that are designed to house larger families. 

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 Bruce Gartner.

Marshall Criser III (top left), son of former University of Florida president who has been president of AT&T Florida since 2005, has been selected to become chancellor of Florida's state university system, replacing Frank Brogan, who left to become chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. After serving as interim Chief Information Officer for Travis County, Texas, for the last four years, Tanya Acevedo (top center) this week was promoted to the county's CIO post full-time, bringing a career in information technology that includes more than 20 years of management and leadership experience in the public and private sectors. Dr. Michael B. McCall (top right), founding president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, has announced that he will retire Jan. 15, 2015, after 16 years leading the System that was created in 1997. Terry Bledsoe recently retired as the CIO of Catawba County, North Carolina, after serving more than seven years in that role, with Valerie Jones named acting CIO for Catawba until a permanent replacement is chosen. South Carolina Department of Revenue Director Jim Etter will resign at the end of this year and will be replaced by Bill Blume, executive director of the state's Public Employee Benefit Authority. Missouri City, Texas, Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald will be leaving the post he has held for four years to take his new job as police chief in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Saint Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Chris Coleman (bottom right) has been named President of the National League of Cities, the nation's leading advocacy organization representing cities and local leaders, after having served the organization previously as first vice president. Chuck Staben (bottom center), provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of South Dakota has been tapped to become the University of Idaho's new president, succeeding interim president Don Burnett. After an extensive career with the state, George Thomas "Tom" Bohl (bottom left), an assistant attorney general for the Environmental Protection Division with the Texas Office of the Attorney General will join the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority as its general counsel and member of the Executive Team. The governing board of the New Mexico Finance Authority on Wednesday has chosen Robert Coalter, former executive director of the Texas Public Finance Authority, as its top administrator. The chief of the United States Park Police, Teresa Chambers, has announced that she will retire on Dec. 5 after more than three decades in law enforcement and on the 35th anniversary as a sworn police officer. Longtime Albany, California, Recreation and Community Services Director Penelope Leach has been chosen to replace Beth Pollard as city manager, who retired in August after 12 years at the helm of the city.

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