The proposed Wisconsin Institute of Discovery took another step toward becoming a reality on the UW-Madison campus March 18 when the state's Building Commission voted 7-1 to finance the project.
\The commission's foresight, and that of the governor and key lawmakers, will keep the university in the vanguard of science, serve important student health-care and housing needs, and benefit Wisconsin's economy,"" UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley said.
Gov. Jim Doyle proposed $19 million in state financing in his 2005-'07 budget for the first phase of what is expected to be a 10-year project. Doyle would like the state to foot half the cost of the expected $381 million facility.
The WID, which would bring together a host of academic disciplines in an effort to stay on the cutting edge of innovation and learning in one 450,000-square-foot building, would occupy the trapezoidal block between University Avenue, Campus Drive, Randall Avenue and Charter Street.
The Building Commission approved $137.5 million in new bonds for the project and reallocated $50 million in already approved bonds, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
The next hurdle for the WID to clear before construction can begin is the state Legislature's approval of the plan as part of the 2005-'07 budget.
