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Saluki Way cost increases $3.2 million

By Adam Testa, The Southern

Thursday, October 9, 2008 9:40 PM CDT

CARBONDALE - Contracts for construction management of the Saluki Way project at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have nearly doubled in price, but overall project expenses are not expected to increase, a university spokesperson said.

Members of the SIU Board of Trustees are slated to vote on a revision that would raise the estimated $4 million approved in February for a management contract to $7.2 million.

The money will be used on a joint contract with J.E. Dunn Construction of Kansas City and Holland Construction Company of Swansea, SIUC spokesman Rod Sievers said.

The $4 million total was an estimate at the time, and the $7.2 million represents the final total, Sievers said. The increased cost will provide an opportunity for local labor to be used and will ensure a timetable will be followed.

"It's a big, complex project, and it's on a tight schedule," he said.

The budget will be funded from external and internal financing as determined by the board treasurer, according to documents in the board's meeting packet. Funds for the project will be repaid with SIU Carbondale student athletic fees, private donations, funds from the city and revenues from Saluki athletics.

The $3.2 million increase will not increase the overall $83 million budget plan for renovations of McAndrew Stadium and SIU Arena, which represents phase one of Saluki Way, Sievers said.

The board of trustees meets Thursday on the Carbondale campus.

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

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