State budget negotiators have included Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) request for $24.8 million to complete construction of a new student services center in its spending plan.
Ajax Building Corp. is the project’s construction manager and the designer is JRA Architects Inc.
FAMU president Larry Robinson was at the Capitol on May 1, thanking legislators and urging support of the funding, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
Overall, legislators have approved $280.4 million for public education capital outlay projects, including $76 million for higher education construction.
The $40 million-three-story structure is currently is under construction just north of Gaither gymnasium. The 73,000 sq. ft. complex will bring student services (including housing, financial aid and counselling) together at a single location.
FAMU has received a total of $16 million from the legislature for construction costs to date but did not receive any state funding for the project in last year’s session.
The one-stop-shop, in addition to a new 700-bed residence hall recently approved with federal funding, are both eyed as transforming forming the student environment as FAMU directs its focus on increasing enrolment and graduating students earlier.
