Proposition 47, the largest statewide bond in U.S. history, passed easily last Tuesday, securing Sacramento State $20.6 million of $496 million allocated for construction projects in the CSU system.

“It is sorely needed on this campus,” said Jonathan Self, Associate Vice President of Finance. “We’re glad to see that this proposition passed.”

The first project for the campus, an $18.6 million campus utility infrastructure upgrade, is set to begin the 2003 –04 fiscal year.Facilities Management will replace two 40-year-old boilers, replace and up size sewer lines, and change heating and air conditioning units.

“Once the governor signs the budget, we’ll hire the engineering firm to do the design so we can get going on it,” said Matt Altier, vice president of Facilities Management.

“It will make sure we will continue to heat and cool buildings in the winter and the summer, and make sure the bathrooms work,” Self said.

The sewage, steam and water lines, which have not been replaced since the campus was built, show signs of age, Self said.

A broken steamline caused steam to rise out of the roof of Lassen Hall. This week another pipeline broke in the building. A sewer line near the University Union backed up two years ago causing a manhole to bubble up, Self said.

The other $2 million will go toward minor capital outlay projects, such as lab renovations for various departments and improvements in classrooms, spread over two years with $1 million per year. Each minor project has a cost limit of $400,000, Altier said.

“About 35 department projects come in (each year). With $1 million per year, we can only fund the top nine or ten,” Altier said.

Each project funded by Proposition 47 is subject to at least one audit upon completion, and mandatory annual audits will monitor the bond funds.

The principal and interest costs of the bonds will be repaid by General Fund revenues over a 30-year period.

Another $15 million for “multiple family student housing” in the CSU and UC systems from Proposition 46 is up for grabs on a first-come, first serve basis.

Lobby Corps of ASI is researching whether the campus is qualified for this type of funding.

Another school construction bond of $12.3 billion will appear on the ballot in March 2004, allocating $690 million to the CSU system if passed.

The CSU system has looked to voter-approved general obligation bonds to fund capital outlay projects since the late 1980’s.