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Creating an elite college educational program is a complicated potion. Quality professors and a good curriculum are the foundation. Portland State University School of Business Administration Dean Daniel J. Connolly believes PSU already has that part of the formula figured out. The next step is providing the students and the faculty with a state-of-the art building.

By fall 2017, the School of Business Administration will have completed a massive renovation and expansion of its current space that will increase the size by 180 percent. Ground has been broken on the project and the Portland Design Commission recently approved the expansion.

鈥淲e are delivering a phenomenal education today,鈥� Connolly said. 鈥淲e’ve got world class faculty who are teaching programs around the world, researching on the cutting edge and publishing in the main business journals. Our students are getting a very strong education. This gives us a better facility and creates an even better, stronger learning environment and allows us to go to the next level.鈥�

The PSU School of Business Administration had shared space with the College of Education in an existing building at 631 S.W. Harrison St. The School of Business Administration will take over that space, which will be renovated.

The project will include an update of 100,000 square feet of existing building, including space previously used by the Graduate School of Education, as well as the addition of a new 35,000-square-foot pavilion on the north side of the building. The final building size will be 135,000 square feet.

The expansion is critical for the School of Business Administration because it currently offers 150 percent more credit hours than when it moved into its current building in 1986. The new extra space will provide numerous additional areas that students and faculty can use to enhance learning.

鈥淚t gives us the staging and the platform to do a lot of things we can’t do now,鈥� Connolly said. 鈥淚t creates a lot more inviting space and space that’s geared around how students learn. There’s places for group study, there’s places for ad hoc community meetup. There will be little learning communities, which we don’t have today.鈥�

PSU chose SRG Partnership Inc. as the architecture firm for the project. SRG is working closely with German firm Behnisch Architekten on the project. Mayer/Reed is serving as landscape architect, and Skanska is the general contractor.

Engineers on the project include PAE Consulting Engineers Inc. (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), Catena Consulting Engineers (structural), and KPFF Consulting Engineers (civil).

One of the highlights of the project will be a glass atrium between the existing building and the new pavilion with entrances from plazas on Southwest Sixth Avenue and Southwest Broadway.

Connolly believes that when everything is finished, the School of Business Administration will not just enhance the aesthetics of PSU, but also the city of Portland.

鈥淚t’s going to be a great addition not only to the Portland State campus, but to the city skyline,鈥� Connolly said.

PSU State originally set a goal to raise $20 million in private funds to go along with $40 million in state-backed bonds, which was approved by the Oregon State Legislature on July 8, 2013.

The university has now reached that $20 million goal, thanks in part to an $8 million donation from Rick Miller, who earned a master’s degree in business administration from the school, and his wife Erika. The donation from the Millers was the largest the business school has ever received. Another donor, who requested to remain anonymous, has promised to double any donation of at least $25,000. PSU has also received financial help for the project from Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Co., and his wife Mary.

Meanwhile, PSU is still looking to drum up more donations to cover the cost of design changes and add sustainability features.

鈥淵ou never have enough when you’re dealing with a construction project,鈥� Connolly said. 鈥淲e’ve surpassed the $20 million goal, but the anticipated costs have gone up. We’re still seeking funds and have naming opportunities. Every bit helps. That gives us opportunities to add some new technology features. This building will have some cool sustainability aspects, but we could do more. It will all add to the beauty of the building.鈥�

PSU’s School of Business Administration already has a talented faculty and a diverse student body. Its MBA program is ranked 14^th in the world and first among smaller programs by Beyond Grey Pinstripes for its emphasis on social and environmental stewardship. Connolly is certain that the renovation and expansion will make the program even stronger.

鈥淚t’s going to show the Portland metro and Portland business community that we are very serious about business,鈥� Connolly said. 鈥淚t will show that we are very deeply committed to this community and that we are the business school of Portland. This is a major transformation for the school that will allow us to attract the best and brightest minds with our faculty, staff and students. And it will strengthen and deepen our ties to the business community.鈥�

Project name: Portland State University School of Business Administration

Location: 631 S.W. Harrison Street, Portland

Cost: Approximately $60 million

Construction start date: Summer 2015

Construction completion date: Fall 2017

Owner/developer: Portland State University

Architect: SRG Partnership Inc. and Behnisch Architekten

Landscape Architecture: Mayer/Reed

Engineers: PAE Consulting Engineers Inc. (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), Catena Consulting Engineers (structural), and KPFF Consulting Engineers (civil)

General contractor: Skanska