Health lab, DMV top building priority list

A new public health laboratory and a Division of Motor Vehicles facility took top billing in the building priority list finalized by the Capital Facilities Committee on Thursday.

A new technology building at the Utah College of Applied Technology, a classroom building at Weber State University and a new library at Snow College rounded out the top five priorities on the list of 26 capital projects, which will now be rolled into the budget process at the Legislature.

Although three of those top five are higher education projects, some university and education system leaders aren't thrilled with the ranking outcome. Several university projects fell behind in the ranking, despite strong recommendations from the Board of Regents.

A University of Utah nursing building to accommodate new faculty and students barely made the list of top 10 priorities, even though it was a top priority for the Board of Regents.

A $41 million request for an agricultural building at Utah State University also fell to No. 13 after ranking third on the Board of Regent's priorities.

"We're pleased that some higher education projects were funded, but we would again urge the Legislature to follow the Board of Regent's priorities more closely," said Mark Spencer, associate commissioner of finance and facilities for Utah.

The nursing building would cost about $22 million, but school leaders have already raised $9 million and need another $13 million from the state. Without that investment, the school's plans to ramp up its nursing program with more faculty and a simulation center may fall through.

"We think it is a compelling project because of the need and because we've raised half the money." said Kim Wirthlin, vice president of government relations for the U.

Wirthlin added she still hopes the U. project will get funding in a year with higher than usual amounts of one-time money to give. How many projects — and which ones — will make the final budget is still up in the air, she said.

A new classroom building at Weber State University did rank No. 4 on the committee list at a cost of about $23 million in state funds.

The classroom overhaul at WSU will replace two of the oldest buildings on the Ogden campus. They have become riddled with safety concerns such as asbestos and fire code violations.