Two years ago, then again one year ago, Steve Gladstone sat with The Bear
Insider at a small table in the Athletic Director's office - and said, "We're
very close on the stadium project. We have the plans, the concepts, but we're
lacking one key element:
the
participation
of
a cornerstone
donor. We have a short list, 6-8 people, who have previously made substantial
donations to athletics - and who have the capacity to make the needed $30 to
$40 million contribution now – but we haven’t gotten it done.”
Last week, we quoted Steve Gladstone's comments to current Athletic Director
Sandy Barbour at her office, and asked, "Is that still a fair description of
the situation?"
Barbour responded, "Well, if we were able to secure contributions of
that magnitude, it would certainly make the project easier. But can the project
be done without
that
kind of commitment? Absolutely.
"For example - if the stadium portion of the project is $180 million, if we
need to we can get 180 $1 million donors to get it done. If we have a $40 million
donor coming
out of the box, that makes the job easier, but if that’s
not the case we'll just take a different tack.
We've been told that there are regulations - whether state or university is
not clear, that require a certain percentage of funds be raised for a project
before public fund-raising can commence.
"No, to my knowledge there's no regulatory basis for that, but it may be good
strategy, to go through a quiet period while core fund raising is done, then
make the public announcement when you're already halfway there."
How does the stadium project stand today?
"Well, basically, we have a new Chancellor and a new Athletic
Director in place, and with that the unfortunate but understandable need to
do due diligence
on
the project, to understand the concepts, the issues, and what are the next
steps.
“The Chancellor wisely put together an advisory group and gave them
instructions to promptly examine the alternatives and to advise him in short
order NOT 'should we proceed', but rather 'what will we build and how'. The
committee carried out its function in 5 weeks, very quick work,
and submitted their recommendations to the Chancellor on the 1st
of December.
“The Chancellor has taken the recommendations under advisement, and
is doing the things in background that are needed to get it up and running.
His decisions will define the project that we move forward with."
What's your view of involving core donors in discussions about project definition?
“Ultimately, we have to have a project concept that meets department
needs. But then if we are relying on private philanthropy, if we are able to
preview the project with key donors to seek their expertise, guidance,
inputs, and if we are able to incorporate some of those, that would be great
- but you can't compromise central principles of the project that you establish
from its beginning.”
The business school, the law school, a hotel facility have all been mentioned
as possible players in the project, but - for example - the new law
school dean has publicly expressed doubts about the benefits to the law school
that would result from participation. Do we now know who are the players? Has
that been defined yet?
”No - (at least) not publicly. I do know the Chancellor's advisory committee recommended
a "cooperative" project - one that would involve both academics
and athletics - and I'm thrilled with that. Any time we can combine athletics
and academics it speaks to our core mission, it sends the right message.”
We asked Barbour about various aspects of the project that have
floated in the public rumor mill, such as the proposed 60,000 seating,
whether the current stadium footprint would be maintained, whether a hotel
might be located north of the Maxwell Family Field - and whether separating
the law, business, and athletic components into distinct structures was being
discussed as a way to simplify and therefore speed construction.
Barbour made only a generic, if cordial, response to these questions, "The
Chancellor has a recommendation from his committee, but it is not being talked
about other than that it includes a number of academic and athletic elements,
and that it is an integrated project.
"I can add this: I am very pleased with the prospects of getting the
project underway relatively quickly."
Do you have a target in mind - or a hoped for target - for an announcement,
like at the Holiday bowl?
"From my perspective, we're moving forward. We're talking to donors about
the project; we've put out an RFP for an architect. I want to make sure we
get it right. If that takes some time before we can make a public announcement,
I'm fine with that.
"I clearly sense the anxiousness of our fan and alumni base on this subject
- certainly I want a public announcement as quickly as is wise."
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