Gov. Parnell includes University of Alaska in plan to address backlog of deferred maintenance projects

Gov. Sean Parnell announced on Thursday, Nov. 12 that he's committed to creating construction jobs around the state by addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance projects for state-owned facilities. The state capital budget will include $100 million for deferred maintenance projects in each of the next five years. The budget will fund repair and renovation projects throughout Alaska for roads, ferries, airports, university buildings and public facilities.

The University of Alaska allocation of the $100 million is about $37 million. The university has about 400 buildings statewide with an estimated replacement value of $2.6 billion. Deferred maintenance is necessary to bring the university's facilities into conformance with appropriate building standards, codes and programmatic functions. Critical electrical repairs and other utility upgrades are necessary system-wide.

Read the press release issued by Gov. Parnell's office.

KTVA Channel 11 covered Gov. Parnell's press conference at UAA on Thursday morning. Watch the report here.