The University of Maine System (UMS) Finance, Facilities and Technology Committee presented a capital plan to execute between Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) and FY29. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine owns and manages a total of 11,266 acres.
The Net Asset Value (NAV) of 63% of UMaine buildings is below 50%, which categorizes them under the Transitional/Gut Renovation/Demo[lition] Stage. “Major building components are in jeopardy of failure. Reliability issues are widespread throughout the building,” according to slide nine of the capital plan.
The NAV is lowest in housing buildings at 44%, and highest in scientific research facilities at 68%. Anywhere between 50% and 70% is considered the Systemic Renovation Stage. According to the capital plan, “Buildings may require more significant repairs; large capital infusions.”
The five-year plan outlines objectives that concentrate on the “most critical needs,” of UMaine, which are listed as follows: upgrade science and engineering facilities to advance research and learning, reduce deferred maintenance, modernize living environments, increase space utilization, decrease energy consumption and the use of nonrenewable fuels and improve athletics space as per the Harold Alfond Foundation (HAF) funded UMS TRANSFORMS initiative.
UMS plans to invest $65.6 million dollars in addressing annual maintenance and renewal across the six categories as follows: $26.7 million dollars toward HAF athletics, $10 million dollars toward electrical infrastructure, $9.5 million dollars toward the UMaine Energy Center, and another $9.5 million dollars toward Common Data Set and Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan projects. On the lower end, about $6 million dollars is allocated to Education and General Projects and about $3.848 million dollars is allocated to residential projects. Below is a percentage chart.
Of the 51 removal projects, 13 facilities were demolished between FY22 and FY23. Coburn and Holmes Halls were removed from UMaine maintenance when converted to Hotel Ursa. 11 buildings remain for removal by the end of FY25, and 25 others were identified for removal by the end of FY28.
Of the four auxiliary project proposals, UMS did not approve new residential construction in Spring 2025 (completed Fall 2029), ongoing residential renovations (completed Fall 2031), dining modernization in Fall 2024 (completed Fall 2026) nor a new childcare facility in Fall 2024 (completed Spring 2026). All proposals are available on slides 21 to 28 of the capital plan.
According to the presentation, 53% of the funding needed to meet the five-year goal was secured, and a total of $30.3 million dollars must be invested in Orono annually to maintain the current standards.
There are two key areas of emphasis within the plan. The first is planning through a housing study, space needs analysis, building assessment, revised master plan, energy study, comprehensive campaign and feasibility study. The second area is to secure funding from multiple avenues, several of which are to be determined.
