MVSU boosts dormitory renovation costs by $2.5 million
ITTA BENA, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi Valley State is adding $2.5 million to renovations at 170-bed College Hall, saying construction and contingency costs have risen.
The College Board approved raising total spending to $7.25 million Thursday.
Valley is shifting $1.5 million from bonds the Legislature allocated in 2014 to renovate Edna Horton Hall. Lawmakers added $7.5 million for that dorm’s renovation and other projects when it approved bonds this year.
College Hall has been empty since a fire in 2004. Valley says in documents submitted to trustees that it cleaned up asbestos, lead-based paint and mold in March while the building was partially demolished.
The university bought modular housing units in 2015 to ease a shortage, but some African-American lawmakers have said it’s inappropriate for students to live in what they call trailers.
