In Illinois, Steve Nitz reports Northern Illinois Univ. on Thursday "unveiled a plan for a complete overhaul of the school's athletic facilities" at an estimated cost of $138M, including "extensive renovations to Huskie Stadium." Plans include "adding suites, lounges and outdoor club seating on the east side of the stadium, as well as a minimum of 6,500 seats in the south end zone." NIU AD Sean Frazier said that the project will be 100% "privately funded" (Dekalb DAILY CHRONICLE, 10/31).
LOS LOCAL LOBOS: In Albuquerque, Damon Scott notes the Univ. of New Mexico is "looking for a developer to enter into a public-private partnership for what it calls a 'south campus sports and entertainment district.'" The site "is on two acres" located immediately west of University Stadium, and is currently "used for parking during sporting events." The school has released RFPs, and UNM Real Estate Dir Thomas Neale said that preference "would be given to New Mexico-based entities" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/30).
EXTREME MAKEOVER: In Tennessee, Will Borthick wrote Middle Tennessee State Univ.'s Murphy Center "looks like a brand-new facility" after $12.64M in renovations. MTSU Associate AD/Equipment & Facilities Kortne Gosha said that the "only thing left to complete is a few finishing touches." Gosha: "We're actually ahead of our initial schedule. I would say that we’re 97 percent complete" (Murfreesboro DAILY NEWS JOURNAL, 10/26).
