When the NIU Board of Trustees Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee approved a budget for the renovation of Cole Hall, it seemed it was only a matter of time before reconstruction began.

The committee met at the end of August. It is now November and no action has been taken.
“The BOT committee authorized a budget,” said Kenneth Zehnder, director of state and local relations for NIU. “We are just waiting for the release of government money to fund the project.”

Zehnder works with the legislative body as part of NIU’s Department of Government Relations.

The committee approved a total budget of $9.5 million for the renovation project, $8 million of which will come from the state budget. NIU will make up the $1.5 million difference. The withholding of state money is what is causing the delay.

“We are working to get money freed up for capital projects,” Zehnder said. “Lawsuits have been filed by beverage distributors to block new taxes that would have been used to help fund the capital bill.”

Concerns over video poker gambling machines have also limited state revenue.

“Municipalities are limiting access to video poker machines,” Zehnder said. “That limits how much tax revenue can be brought in from them.”

The state budget crisis is the principle hold up, Zehnder said. Most capital funds are funded through bonds, and the bonds need to be floated before any revenue can be taken in. This is a similar situation to the issues of funding for Illinois MAP grants.

Zehnder said that in the absence of direct bonds, loans will need to be taken out by the state to cover the projects until more money can be brought in.

Renovation plans for Cole Hall include replacement of the old stadium-style seating with staggered decking for table and chair style seating and a full upgrade to a Smart Classroom. The room that the shooting took place in will not be used as a classroom and instead will be leveled with decking. No decisions have been announced as to what the room’s purpose will be.

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