University Committees: University Space Committee

Meeting - February 25, 2022

Agenda

UNIVERSITY SPACE COMMITTEE MEETING
Friday, February 25, 2022
Video Conference
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Approval of the Minutes – Arden (5 mins)

Consent Agenda – Arden (5 mins)

ALL ITEMS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

  1. NC Institute for Climate Studies (NCICS) , Strategic Lease Request #22-03
    • Description: NCICS, an UNC system inter-institutional research institute, is a partnership between academic universities, the private sector, non-profit organizations, community groups, and the federal government focused on advancing understanding of the current and future state of the climate. NCICS, a unit within the Office of Research and Innovation, has been leasing space at the Veach-Baley Federal building in downtown Asheville, NC since July 2012. They request to extend the term of the existing lease for an additional 5-year period. If not renewed, the existing lease will expire June 30, 2022.
    • Strategic Lease Requirements: This space is a strategic lease acquisition in order for the program to be co-located with its prime sponsor, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
    • Square Feet: 7901.52 rentable square feet
    • Lease Terms: Rent rate during renewal term shall be $28.13/rsf ($18,529.51/month)
    • Funding Source: 100% F&A generated by sponsored contract and grant expenses (WRS 257342)
    • Duration: 5 year extension through June 30, 2027
    • Timing: Lease extension should be executed before June 2022
    • Other: NCSU Board of Trustee approval will be needed

Action Items – N/A

Information / Discussion Items

  1. OIT eSports Facility, Space Request #22-02 – Lisa Johnson (25 mins)
  2. Holladay Hall Administrative Principles
    (Info Item 21.08)
    (Related to Space Requests #21-15 OGC Holladay and #21-31 ISA Peele) – Lisa Johnson (5 mins)
  3. CALS Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology, MOU with NCDA for Use of Rollins Animal Disease Lab, 2101 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, Space Request #21-23, Related to #17-03 – L. Moore (5 mins)
  4. College of Engineering Growth
    (Info Item 21.15)

    • COE Short-term Growth, Research IV Floor 1
      Space Request #22-04 – D. Morton/L. Johnson (15 mins)

Other Business

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Adjourn

Minutes

UNIVERSITY SPACE COMMITTEE MEETING
Friday, February 25, 2022
Video Conference
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Members present: Warwick Arden; Charles Maimone; Mladen Vouk

Staff Support present: Adrian Day; Alicia Knight; Cameron Smith; Christopher Ross; Doug Morton; Lisa John-son; Lisa Van Roekel; Liz Moore; Sumayya Jones-Humienny

Guests: Marc Hoit, Greg Raschke, Adam Brueggemann; Barbara Moses; Catherine Phillips

Additional Distribution: Jessie Askew; Lori Johnson; Emily Cummings; Jonathan Horowitz; Don Hunt; Margery Overton; David Rainer

Approval of the Minutes
The minutes of the January 26, 2022 meeting were approved and have been posted.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

  1. NC Institute for Climate Studies (NCICS), Strategic Lease Request #22-03: The committee approved the request.

Action Items
N/A

Information / Discussion Items

  1. OIT eSports Facility, Space Request #22-02: Lisa Johnson presented this request in the context of the Physical Master Plan with a view toward activing neighborhoods with hubs of activity that repurpose space for a mix of uses based on addressing needs for a thematic focus. The Libraries continue to receive numerous requests to repurpose their space in D.H. Hill Library. The last master planning effort completed for the Libraries was 20 years ago, so they need a new holistic assessment of their facilities to align with their current mission and goals.There are over 200 universities that have programs that are related to eSports, which build social and problem-solving skills, especially for non-athletic students. The military branches use similar types of gaming for honing risk-taking assessment skills in a safe environment that also enhances stamina and 3D visualization. eSports could bring interdisciplinary vibrancy to the Brickyard neighborhood, where activity has decreased since the opening of Talley Student Union and demolition of Harrelson Hall.M. Hoit explained the request is for 6,000 – 8,000 SF in a flexible, column-free, high-volume, showcase space that is easy to find/access. The majority of its use will be for teaching and research, with occasional use for competitions engaging an audience of 50 – 100 people, including the gamers themselves. The Raleigh Convention Center will host the large events. The $12 M allocated by the State Legislature is not enough to cover costs for new construction or even all the renovation that may be needed. Another $4M is allocated for a mobile gaming truck. In addition, a $2M grant application is underway to improve the gaming and learning experience. Associated needs are for food, merchandising, and gathering space, plus robust infrastructure for PME and AV needs. The biggest challenges are finding the right space, obtaining enough funding, and design/renovation. Preliminary locations proposed include Mann, 111 Lampe Dr., and D.H. Hill Library. He would like to start with a smaller- scale pilot project.

    G. Raschke noted there is already a small-scale gaming venue in D.H. Hill because gaming is part of experiential learning, like the Digital Transformation of Education cluster. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated a decrease in activity in the Brickyard neighborhood after Harrelson Hall’s demolition and more activation is needed in the west wing/Erdahl-Cloyd with more open area and seating for collaboration, socializing, and study, but the infrastructure is lacking and a holistic study needs adequate time to give it thoughtful consideration for programmatic needs.The committee observed that reactivation of the Brickyard neighborhood and long-term master planning for D.H. Hill may not intersect with eSports. Study is needed to understand what size facility $12M can build or renovate and see if there is opportunity for a public-private partnership in the Innovation District while a pilot project is tested.

  2. Holladay Hall Administrative Principles (Info Item 21.08) (Related to Space Requests #21-15 OGC Holladay and #21-31 ISA Peele): The committee understands that the multiple space requests cannot be solved without occupancy changes requiring some personnel or units to relocate elsewhere. Chancellor Woodson needs direct access to the Provost and VC for Finance and Administration and they in turn need access to their leadership teams and support staff. The committee directed Staff Support to continue to review Peele, Holladay, and Cherry with regard to who is easier to move without requiring renovation elsewhere. This requires meeting with each VC to understand their units’ programmatic needs and remote work arrangements.
  3. CALS Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology (CAAE), MOU with NCDA for Use of Rollins Animal Disease Lab, 2101 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, Space Request #21-23, Related to #17-03: L. Moore explained further review of the Rollins Lab determined CAAE could fit in 1/3 of the building with the remainder for use as swing space. Lab swing space is in great need for other upcoming Repair and Renovation projects funded by the State Legislature. Rollins also has an animal isolation space that could be used the for Scott Hall bird wing renovation. The committee recognized the importance of this request and directed University Real Estate & Development (URED) to work towards negotiations to acquire this building.
  4. College of Engineering Growth (Info Item 21.15) – COE Short-term Growth, Research IV Floor 1, Space Request #22-04: Due to a shortened meeting, this request was deferred until the next meeting.

Other Business

N/A

Next Meeting:

March 23, 2022, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Meeting Adjourned at 10:35 AM.