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Opportunity doesn't come along every day; except, however, if you are a member of the Eastern Kentucky University community. Beyond offering mostly first generation college students a chance at higher education, the university has also been afforded an opportunity to be a leader with a "very kind" amount of funds. And, in the process of growing its physical campus, there is a growing emphasis on the need for cleaning and maintenance … an opportunity that James Street, executive director for capital planning and facilities management, has relished many times before during his 13-year tenure at the university.

Today's opportunities that have been presented to Street will shape tomorrow's Eastern Kentucky University and, in some situations, dramatically change the way the college looks and functions. It is fair to say that the department is taking a detailed approach to the maintenance and construction decisions of new and old projects.

INVESTMENT ON CAMPUS

"We are going through a tremendous growth period right now," confirms Street, currently in the second $100 million increment of capital planning. "Enrollment has increased over the past few years, funds are available, the state has had a relatively healthy economy and that has prompted investments." Although the university is currently in phase one of an almost $90 million investment in a new science complex, which is scheduled to be completed by February 2008, approximately 57 percent of the buildings on the Eastern Kentucky campus were constructed prior to 1972.

Since the majority of the buildings are over 30 years old, their systems have reached the end of their useful life, such as their critical HVAC components. "This results in a tremendous need for maintenance activity," says Street. And, since only one major classroom has been erected in the last 20 years, a new science complex is a welcomed change.

"As [the older buildings] have aged there has been a need to construct new, so we are in that process," he says. According to Street, the new science complex will mean more to the students and staff than just a new building on campus. "It will revitalize our core science curriculum; it is going to be a tremendous change-maker on Eastern's campus."