The trustee approved the first step in the construction of a silicon carbide research facility for the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on Thursday, which will also provide services to electronics researchers across the country.

Last month, UA announced that it had received $17.9 million in federal grants to operate the first silicon carbide prototype and manufacturing facility, which is the material that it pursues when designing electric vehicle components.

The board of directors of the University of Arkansas approved the choice of architects and construction managers at a meeting on Thursday, but UA will first conduct budget research and renovation of existing spaces before applying for approval for the new building.

According to board documents, the "first phase" part of the project will cost approximately US$3.185 million, coming from the university’s central administration and departmental reserves.

According to early estimates provided to the trustee, a new manufacturing laboratory—possibly located in the Arkansas Research and Technology Park south of Fayetteville—will cost between $15 million and $20 million.

The existing space used at the beginning of the project is located in the science and technology park.

"The facility will support the growing demand for silicon carbide-based semiconductor research. It will establish unique partnerships within the industry and government," Ann Bordelon, UA's vice president for finance and administration, told the trustee.

Alan Mantooth, a UA professor who led the work, said last month that the National Science Foundation grants do not pay for the construction of the new building.

The trustee approved Tsoi Kobus Design in Boston and WDD with offices in Fayetteville and Little Rock as project architects, and Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. with offices in Baltimore and Tulsa as construction manager.

In addition, the trustee approved a $7.6 million UA ​​campus (including Old Main) for ventilation improvements, paid for by the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund. The board of directors approved Henderson Engineers, with offices in Bentonville and Lenexa, Kansas, and Core Architects, Rogers, to participate in the project.

The trustee also approved the purchase of a 22,208-square-foot office building at 481 S. Shiloh Drive in Fayetteville, west of Interstate 49, for US$3.7 million.

The owner of the building is Store Master Funding III LLC, which has been occupied by Pace Industries.

The die-casting manufacturer announced in June that it would move its headquarters from Fayetteville to Michigan.

UA will use the building for "certain non-student activities", including as a space for researchers associated with the university's new integrated and innovative institute, until the new on-campus research facility is completed.

Bordelon said the office building is six to eight minutes' drive from the UA main campus.

The trustee also approved the Fayetteville-based engineering and design company Olsson to construct the 2021-25 part of the advanced walkway, which the board of directors documents described as United’s “oldest continuation tradition”. The name of the graduate is engraved on the sidewalk.

The new Senior Walk section will be along Cleveland Street, Razorback Road, Maple Street and Garland Avenue. The qualification document requirements show that the advanced pedestrian area of ​​this period formed a plaza around campus buildings such as the Maple Mountain Dormitory, the Epley Center, the John W. Tyson Building, and the Pat Walker Health Center.

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