Site work and new construction of an educational facility in Topeka, Kansas. Completed plans call for the construction of a 64,748-square-foot, two-story above grade educational facility.

https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/education/2021/03/26/washburn-university-regents-school-law-construction-contract-mcp-group-jerry-farley/6988271002/ Washburn Regents award $26.4M School of Law contract to The MCP Group Construction should start soon on a new School of Law building at Washburn University's southeast corner. The Washburn University Board of Regents on Thursday afternoon approved a $26.4 million contract to The MCP Group as general contractor to build the university’s School of Law building. Combined with other components of the project, such as underground stormwater detention and parking lot expansion work, the new School of Law building will ultimately cost about $35 million, funded by $11 million in new university debt, $10 million in university reserves and $14 million in private gifts. Washburn officials recommended The MCP group not just because it was the lowest bidder, but because of previously experience with the contractor, such as the university’s recent Morgan Welcome Center and Lincoln Hall and Dining Center projects. More:Washburn University's new student leaders see a chance to strengthen city relationships University President Jerry Farley said he was ecstatic to finally break ground on the long-discussed project to replace the existing School of Law building, which officials s Twelve years is a long time for any project,” he said, “and it’s morphed several times, but always for the better. It is something that will create a landmark on this campus that I think everyone can be proud of.” More:All Kansas schools to offer in-person learning by March 31 after Gov. Laura Kelly says she'll sign the bill University officials have previously estimated construction on the new building to begin in May 2021 and last into the fall 2022 semester The Regents on Thursday also signed off on an initial four-year partnership with EAB Enrollment Services to purchase prospective student names and more aggressively target those students. Richard Liedtke, Washburn executive director of enrollment management, said the university typically purchases names and contact information of high school students from such organizations as ACT and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions. More:CapFed Best News: These Topeka Collegiate students are fundraising for St. Jude. They're at $1,095 and counting. University admissions workers then use that information to send communications and other promotional materials, hoping to turn student interest into admissions into enrollment at Washburn But the two organizations — some of the more significant players in the national enrollment recruitment business — and the fact that fewer students are taking the ACT, Liedtke said he saw a need to opt for a more targeted name-buying strategy, such as the one provided by EAB. He likened the company’s process to a scalpel, rather than a blunt instrument, in connecting with prospective students and funneling them to Washburn. Regent Craig Hulse was slightly skeptical of the proposed partnership, especially since the school would essentially pay about $7,000 per student to recruit just 61 students at a cost of $432,000 over the contract’s first two years. But Lietdke pointed out that if the university’s retention rates hold, about 70% of those students would continue into their junior and senior years and continue to generate tuition revenue. More:Children can't get a COVID-19 vaccine yet, but some Kansas legislators want to ensure it won't be required. Lietdke also said EAB’s services go beyond the scope of anything the university’s admissions department is capable of, and by contracting with the enrollment service company, the university could cut other marketing and advertising expenses, which also take a more general approach and may not be as cost-effective. The Regents approved an initial $175,000 for the first year of the EAB partnership and will review if the university should renew its contract for another year at a rate of $257,000. Renewals for a third and fourth year would each cost $300,00 _________- New School of Law Building. Approximately 64,748 SF. Includes assciated sitework. Construction duration is expected Spring 2021 - Fall 2022. *MCP Group requests subcontractor bids by 2:00 p.m. on March 08, 2021. Send all bids to jeffm@theMCPGroup.com and estimating@theMCPGroup.com.