A task force, looking at whether the UW System should be given more flexibility, addresses the process of new construction. David Miller with UW System’s Capital Planning and Budget talks about the “red tape” involved in the current approval and building process.
As with all state agency buildings, the state Department of Administration handles the bidding of projects and holding of contracts for architecture and construction.
Miller tells panel members – made of lawmakers and school officials – they’re proposal would allow school leadership to have an earlier stake in planning: “Specifically we’re proposing to charge the Board of Regents with planning and design, and enhance the Department of Administration’s role in the construction authority.”
Once the project is complete, under the plan, DOA would turn the new facility back over to the university which would handle its operations, a continuation of current law.
The Special Task Force on UW Restructuring and Operational Flexibilities was created last year to give the campuses more flexibility from state operations.