Gov. Evers reveals Capital Budget proposal, tours UW-Stevens Point buildings

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – Governor Tony Evers announced his $4.1 billion Capital Budget proposal for the state on Monday, including $1.6 billion of investment in capital improvement projects across the Universities of Wisconsin System.

The improvement projects include renovations and additions on the UW-Stevens Point campus. Gov. Evers toured the campus, speaking with university officials and seeing the spaces where the investment money would land first hand.

UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Dr. Thomas Gibson said he felt the tour went well.

“We were able to share with the governor some of our facilities that are in dire need of investment, the vast majority of them are nearing their useful life,” he said.

Under the Capital Budget proposal, changes on campus would include the renovation and additions to the Collins Classroom Center. After the renovation process, the building would hold the Sentry School of Business and Economics. The Trainer Natural Resources Building’s greenhouse would also be renovated.

Dr. Gibson said the additions and renovations could lead to student success.

“This new facility will allow us to recruit significant numbers of students,” Dr. Gibson said. “It will allow us to partner in deeper ways with business and industry, it will be a hub of business activity for the region and beyond. I just can’t wait to see all that this building will allow us to do in support of student success.”

Gov. Evers said because of the way the university is situated, the option is not to tear down the building, but instead make do with their current footprint, only slightly expanding. He said that makes it more difficult for renovations.

“I just really am impressed with the kind of forethought that people are using here,” Gov. Evers shared.

The proposal will go before the State Building Commission on March 25 for them to vote and make a recommendation to the Joint Finance Committee.

“I think we’re in a good position as a state to make these type of investments,” Gov. Evers said. “Hopefully we can get some of these across the finish line. They are important. We have to make sure that students who come to Stevens Point have the best opportunity possible.”

Ultimately, the full legislature will make the final decision on the Capital Budget proposal. Representative Rob Swearingen of Rhinelander and Senator Mary Felzkowski of Tomahawk both sit on the State Building Commission.

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