UW-Madison campus to receive millions in funding to maintain buildings

The state’s budget-writing committee unanimously voted Monday to approve a proposal that would give UW-Madison $60 million to repair and maintain buildings on campus.

The bipartisan 16-0 vote by the Joint Finance Committee grants $1 billion for building projects throughout the state, $60 million of that portion going toward the UW System. UW-Platteville, Eau Claire, Madison, Parkside and River Falls are among the campuses that will receive more funding to complete projects.

Gov. Scott Walker originally proposed $792 million as part of his capital budget—the budget that determines how much funding agencies and universities receive for infrastructure purposes.

The budget-writing committee’s plan of granting an additional $223 million to the UW System goes further than Walker’s original plan.

At UW-Madison, some of the construction projects will focus on Lathrop Drive and Bascom Hill and some parking complexes. Part of the approved projects includes UW-Extension’s Lowell Hall, which Walker approved plans to renovate in his proposal.

“With the funding approved today, our campuses will be able to conduct maintenance, repair, and renovation projects, as well as provide important instructional space for our faculty and students,” said UW System President Ray Cross.