UA Board Approves Request Expansion Study

The University of Arkansas board of trustees approved the selection of architect/engineer design and construction manager/general contractor teams to conduct a market and cost analysis for a potential expansion of the north end zone of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, according to a news release issued by the school’s athletic department on Friday.

The Board approved the selection of Populous of Kansas City, Mo., and Polk Stanley Wilcox as the architect/engineer design team. PSW has offices in Fayetteville and Little Rock. Flintco LLC, with offices in Springdale and Tulsa, was approved as the construction manager/general contractor to conduct the study.

The building and grounds committee approved the request on Thursday before forwarding it to the full board for final approval on Friday morning, the release stated.

“The market and cost analysis will provide us specific details and estimates that will enable us to make a fully informed decision on a potential expansion of the north end zone,” athletic director Jeff Long said in the release. “It is imperative that we consider the many variables involved in the project, including the potential cost of an expansion and what type of additional seating would best accommodate the current and future demand of our fans.

If the university determines the expansion to be viable and proceed, the project will be brought back to the board for approval prior to actually starting the project, the release stated. The release also indicated funding of the study and potential project will come from athletic revenues, gifts, and bond proceeds from a future bond issue amortized using athletic revenues generated from the stadium expansion. No university funds would be required to complete the analysis or the project.