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While I’m sure architects, engineers and contractors around the region were disappointed to see the Portland Public Schools’ bond – and the $548 million in construction spending it would have authorized – fail back in May, not all hope is lost for those who work on institutional building projects.

During an Oregon Board of Higher Education’s summer board meeting this afternoon, staffers presented an Oregon University System capital budget summary including projects that received funding during this year’s legislative session. Some of these projects on campuses across the state are sure to keep contractors busy – even as they anxiously await an announcement on whether PPS will put another construction bond on the November ballot.

The Oregon University System’s capital budget for 2011-2013 is $259.8 million, which can be spent on new construction, capital repairs, deferred maintenance and seismic upgrades. OUS officials expect the money to provide 2,400 jobs to workers across the state.

Here are some projects outlined in the capital budget:

• Eastern Oregon University: $13.18 million for deferred maintenance to Quinn Hall.
• Oregon Institute of Technology: $30 million for the Wilsonville campus consolidation project and $3.5 million for the Geothermal Demonstration Project in Klamath Falls.
• Oregon State University: $56 million for a new Business Education Building, $12 million for the bookstore relocation project, $4 million for the cross country track, $6 million to deferred maintenance at the Education Hall, $2 million for new equipment at the Animal Sciences Teaching Pavilion and $8 million for miscellaneous housing infrastructure upgrades.
• Oregon State University-Cascade Campus (Bend): $5 million to purchase and remodel the Mill Point Building in order to house various graduate programs.
• Portland State University: $7 million for the Blumel Residence Hall water replacement project and an undisclosed amount for a placeholder to help purchase City Tower from the city of Portland.
• Southern Oregon University: $21 million for deferred maintenance and seismic upgrades.
• University of Oregon: $5.3 million for work on Allen Hall and $10 million for work on the ISC/Lewis Science Building. Additionally, $2.5 million will be spent on steam line replacement around campus, and $3.95 million will be spent on improvements to various residence halls.
• Western Oregon University: $9.7 million on the renovation of the Natural Science Building and $1.2 million on seismic upgrades to Todd Hall.
• OUS system-wide: $35 million on capital renewal, code compliance and safety, as well as $20 million on miscellaneous student building fee projects and $4.5 million set aside for project reserves.

-Nick Bjork