MSU hires arena architect, design team

The university’s Board of Governors Friday approved a $4.26 million agreement with the architectural and engineering firm to oversee all design aspects of the venue. The firm was chosen after working for more than a month on the initial programming phase of the project.

Under the agreement, the firm will oversee structural, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering; plumbing; fire protection; food-service design; and acoustical, audio and visual capabilities. The fee also covers specialty consultants for furniture, fixtures and equipment; codes and life safety; and environmental graphics.

Ellerbe Becket’s design team includes local architecture firm Pellham Phillips and local civil engineering firm Scott Consulting Engineers.

The firm has previously served as the lead architect for the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, the Charlotte Bobcats Arena and the new John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia.

Earlier this month, the board selected Kansas City-based JE Dunn to manage construction of the arena, for which work is scheduled to begin in December.

The $60 million arena will be partially funded by a $25 million gift from John Q. Hammons. The remainder of the cost will be paid by $30 million in bonds and $5 million in cash the university is currently raising.

The 12,000-seat venue will have private suites and a meeting room and will house the MSU intercollegiate sports Hall of Fame.