Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Legislative Request (Priorities and Descriptions):

Summary of Request

Priority 1: JSU Marriott Renovations Phase I

Type: Repair and Renovation
Funds Requested: $41,551,991.00

Project Description
This project will be completed in phases, converting the existing hotel tower to a full-time residential facility with mixed-use spaces on the lower levels. The first phase will include renovations of twenty-five (25) residential rooms and one (1) study room, the ground floor and mezzanine level, including renovations to meet safety and mechanical code compliance, and structural renovations to the conference and meeting rooms, guest circulation, elevators, escalators, and the parking structure.

Project Justification
The former Marriott Hotel, a 15 story 35,000 Sq. Ft. facility, located in downtown Jackson, MS was built in 1974. Repurposing this site into a mixed-use student residential facility addresses: 1) JSUs need for student housing; 2) mitigates the cost of building a brand new facility by taking advantage of existing infrastructure; 3) presents potential for revitalizing the downtown area; and 4) enhances the student experience. This project benefits both the University and the community by addressing housing needs, stimulating economic activity, and creating a vibrant urban environment.

Priority 2: T.B. Ellis Interior Renovations

Type: Repair and Renovation
Funds Requested: $12,889,968

Project Description
This project will consist of a new roof along with interior renovations, which includes the replacement of HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical related equipment and/or fixtures to include the athletic swimming pool. Other modification will consist of interior painting, ceiling tile and flooring replacements.

Project Justification
The T.B. Ellis Building, built in 1969, is a significant structure at Jackson State University. The T.B. Ellis building not only supports the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) programs, but the Jacksonian community as a whole. The facility has historically served as a major area of refuge for local and neighboring state institutions. Waterline failures connected to the swimming pool caused major mechanical damage to mechanical equipment in the facility and indirectly other interior conditions, requiring major repair and renovation.

Priority 3: Heritage Renovations

Type: Repair and Renovation
Funds Requested: $8,512,500.00

Project Description
Interior renovations to repurpose the current building design from a three story dining facility to multi functional/multi-purpose space to support departmental offices, conference room, event space, and student activities.

Project Justification
The last major renovation to the Heritage Residential Dining facility (42,528 GSF), built in in 1977, was a roof repair in 2021. With the transition of residential dining from the Heritage to the expanded Student Center location, the current facility is need of repurposing. By repurposing the Heritage Dining facility to a mixed-use student and institutional support facility, JSU can enrich campus life, promote student success, and create a more vibrant and inclusive campus community; maximizing physical and financial resources.

Priority 4: Campus Safety Project

Type: Capital Improvement
Funds Requested: $4,300,000.00

Project Description
This project will focus on developing and implementing safety improvements to protect students, faculty, and staff. The six major areas of enhancements have included campus-wide upgrades to emergency phone towers, outdoor lighting, additional camera installations, access controls, safety equipment, and securing campus access points. Primary capital improvements captured in this year’s request focuses on securing access points via additional gates and barrier gate arms.

Project Justification
Jackson State University has a strong legacy and record of excellence, attracting and preparing future leaders that have and will have positive impacts on the city, state, nation, and global field. With all that JSU promises to become, there are dangers that can thwart good intentions and hard work being done by the institution. Like many colleges and universities, especially in urban settings, there are inherent safety concerns. Campus administrators must be proactive and not reactive in implementing safety measures and initiatives. Internal and external conditions continue to evolve and leaders must prepare and be ready to manage ever changing new norms. Institutions that do not prepare face major risks of reputational damage, enrollment and financial losses, as well as legal liability.

Priority 5: Rose E. McCoy Repair and Renovations

Type: Repair and Renovation
Funds Requested: $5,675,000.00

Project Description
The Rose E. McCoy Auditorium (Office/Classrooms 41, 175 GSF) Repairs/Renovation project will include providing a new roof and adequate instructional space for faculty, administrative staff and students. The project will also consist of adding and modifying existing walls (replacing the wallpaper and painting), flooring, ceilings, mechanical HVAC, electrical service and communications/data services to restore the original condition of this building.

Project Justification
Constructed in 1950, the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium, formerly known as University Park Auditorium, has been an events and social gathering landmark in west Jackson for more than 60 years. Since being under the stewardship of Jackson State the building interiors were upgraded in 1994. Since then, ADA modifications were made to make the building fully accessible. As one of the main facilities used by visitors and located at the main intersection of campus, JSU would like to enhance the exterior and interior of the facility as a complement to other campus buildings.