Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Art museum expansion wins approval

Art museum expansion wins approval

| | Story updated at 10:11 PM on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

ATLANTA - Without picking up a brush or molding any clay, the state's higher education authority moved Tuesday to improve the state of the arts in Georgia.

The University System Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a $20 million expansion and renovation of the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia and gave the go-ahead for the state to try to reach an agreement with one of three architects.

The project includes an expansion of the building's second level to provide more space for galleries, outdoor display areas, a sculpture garden and more storage space. Private money will fund the project, according to the system.

The regents also approved a list of three firms for the university system to negotiate with to do the architectural work on the project.

Stanley Beaman & Sears Inc. of Atlanta will get the first crack at reaching a deal. After that, the system will negotiate with Collins Cooper Carusi Architects Inc. of Atlanta and Cooper Carry Inc. of Atlanta in that order.

The museum expansion and renovation was one of a handful of construction projects for UGA approved Tuesday.

Regents also approved a $3.4 million project to renovate part of the Ramsey Center.

The renovation will create more space for cardiovascular and strength-and-conditioning exercises for students, as well as some office space for volleyball coaches.

The second phase of the plan, which still needs funding, will add more room for fitness and exercise on the second floor.

Regents also signed off on an additional $1.6 million for the second phase of the new Lamar Dodd School of Art building, which is under construction next to the existing Performing and Visual Arts Complex on East Campus.

"There were some additional improvements to the project," said Linda Daniels, vice chancellor for facilities.

The extra money will fund a photography suite, more audio-visual equipment and energy-recovery units.

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