YOUNGSTOWN STATE State approves money for science building

Other state funds for this area also were approved.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- More than $1 million in improvements to Youngstown State University's primary science building will move forward.
The State Controlling Board approved the release of $1.2 million Monday to replace heating and cooling systems and to make other improvements for the laboratories on the fifth and sixth floors of Ward Beecher Hall.
The building was built in 1957, and renovated and enlarged in 1967 and 1987. In 1989, a greenhouse was added. Renovations in 1997 didn't fully resolve problems with the mechanical systems in the building that houses the biology, chemistry and physics departments, state officials say.
Contracts: According to state records, York Mahoning of Youngstown received the largest contract, $738,600; DeSalvo Construction Co. of Hubbard got a $249,846 contract; Geller Electric of Canfield received a $60,200 contract and Western Reserve Mechanical Inc. of Niles received a $57,125 contract.
The remaining portions of the funding are to be contingency funds and local administration/state fees. There was no immediate word on when the project would begin or be completed.
The controlling board also released:
U$120,000 for the state's share of a project to renovate Help Hotline Crisis Center at 261 E. Wood St., Youngstown. The total cost is estimated at $474,348, with $354,348 to be supplied by the center.
U$34,666.68 to contract with ANNASHAE Corp. of Cleveland to provide physician services at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown for remainder of the fiscal year that ends in June.
U$42,531 for construction, local administration fees and prebid expenses for central utility plant improvements at YSU.