The University of Toledo board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution Monday to complete all necessary projects for the university's new safety center.
UT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol teamed to construct the new shared facility, which will replace the university's police building. Ground broke last month on the new space at the corner of Dorr Street and Secor Road.
As part of the agreement, the cost of the project is not to exceed $6.5 million, with UT contributing $3.75 million and the state $2.75 million.
"Having grown up in that neighborhood, this is a pleasure to see," Trustee Will Lucas said.
UT Police Chief Jeff Newton previously told The Blade the building will accommodate about 100 employees and provide better space for those in need of police services.
In other business, UT Chief of Staff Matt Schroeder told the board the university is on-budget with tuition and fees as of September 30 for the year.
UT experienced $6.9 million in savings this year from its preferred supplier initiative and collaborative contracts, and another $4.6 million from voluntary separation incentive payments and an eight-month hiring freeze.
Chairman Mary Ellen Pisanelli is pleased to see cost savings.
"This is a continuation of something we started four years ago [to save money]," she said. "I think sometimes it goes unnoticed, our good standing with our peers in the state on these efforts."
Students also saw some savings in 2019 with the school's electronic textbook program saving students $546,000.
It was also mentioned ridership among students on Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority buses is up 20 percent compared to one year ago.
First Published December 17, 2019, 12:25 a.m.
