Building boom

Bismarck State College completes three projects with another underway

BY KAYLA PRASEK

When Bismarck State College students returned to campus this fall, they were welcomed by three completed construction projects — the new Communications and Creative Arts Center, the new Lloyd Ritchie Residence Hall and the renovated Student Union. Construction is also underway on the new Gate City Bank Residence Hall.

Dave Clark, vice president of operations and finance, says the projects were necessary for BSC’s growing student population. “Over the years, we have had a number of new building projects,” Clark says. “Our first major project was in 1998, and the trend has continued, so for the most part we look like a fairly new campus with fairly new buildings. These projects were significant for us and were greatly needed.”

The 40,000-square-foot, $13.5 million Communications and Creative Arts Center was designed by JLG Architects in Bismarck, while Kansas City, Mo.-based JE Dunn served as general contractor. Construction started in May 2014 and was finished this August. The three-story facility, located centrally on campus, features a ground floor learning commons and library, while the second and third floors contain the English and

“The library was in a different, old building that was demolished as part of this project, while the visual arts program had been in the center of a men’s dormitory,” Clark says. “This facility provides a major improvement for those programs, along with better space for educating and serving students.”

The Student Union project, which was designed by Bismarck-based Ubl Design and was started in 2012, saw 14,000 square feet of new construction and 22,000 square feet of renovated space. The $9 million project, which was done by general contractor Capital City Construction of Bismarck, was completed this July. The Student Union now has redesigned food services and student gathering areas, two additional meeting rooms, offices for student organizations and a new game room. The bookstore retail operations were also expanded with a coffee bar and a convenience store.

“The renovation and addition really transformed the atmosphere in the Student Union,” Clark says. “The students are pleased, and we’re able to serve our growing campus population while also facilitating community functions. As we have a growing population on campus, we needed more space for socialization, dining, bookstore needs and more appealing space. It’s important to have a good environment for our students.”

Ritchie Hall and Gate City Bank Hall are a $5 million project financed and owned by the BSC Foundation. Designed by Ubl Design and constructed by general contractor Performance Contracting Inc. of Lenexa, Kan., construction started on Ritchie Hall in September 2014 and was completed in August. The two-story residence hall features 14 apartment-style suites and common lounge. Each suite includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living area and laundry. Construction started on Gate City Bank Hall in March and is expected to be finished in May. The three-story residence hall features 18 apartment-style suites, student life office, resident supervisor apartment and storage space. Together, the two residence halls will add 128 beds to campus.

“These projects provide appealing facilities that are in demand,” Clark says. “We have been losing students because we had very limited on-campus housing, and off-campus housing is very tight. We’re anticipating housing needs in the future, but these projects help us deal with the situation today and give us time to plan for the future.”

While it isn’t unusual for a college campus to have several ongoing projects, it is unusual for three projects to be completed at the same time. “We have had great support in the community, and we had experienced managers in key positions to help guide us through this phase. It was a lot of hard work, but we knew the end result was going to be worth it,” Clark says. PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer Prairie Business 701-780-1187, kprasek@prairiebizmag.com