Lincoln University Curators voted Tuesday to move forward with plans to build a new "Wellness Center" on the campus' southeast corner.
By a 7-0 vote, the board hired Jefferson City-based Architects Alliance as a project consultant.
In a 35-minute conference call, the board also approved demolishing an old house the school owns, accepted terms on a technology management agreement and gave its preliminary OK to an amendment on the food service contract.
Sheila Gassner, LU's Design and Construction director, reminded the board that Architects Alliance already has done some design work on the facility, planned for the northwest corner of Locust and Atchison streets.
The firm also has been working with the Boys and Girls Club for their separate facility to be built on the same grounds.
"We're asking for your approval to enter into a formal contract with them, for the full design of the project," Gassner said, "for $381,148."
Sodexo, the food services provider, agreed to contribute about $450,000 to the cafeteria renovation project, in exchange for a 10-year extension of their contract to provide food services.
"Anytime when we've gone back to renegotiate with Sodexo, they've been very kind to us to do so," Jerome Offord, LU President Kevin Rome's chief of staff, explained. "This was their second offer to assist us with the cafeteria renovations, as well as to extend the contract."
Although LU officials generally have been pleased with Sodexo's services, some curators were concerned that the amendment didn't include a right to terminate the contract if administrators become unhappy with the company in the future.
But the board agreed to approve the proposed amendment "in principal," subject to Rome's verifying that the original contract allows for a possible termination.
Rome told the board: "We have an opportunity to terminate, but it will cost us, based on their investment."
The board also voted 7-0 to demolish the house at 810 Lafayette St., on property Lincoln already owns.
Earlier this year, curators had asked about saving the building until administrators found some other use for that property and several others nearby.
Gassner said it would cost about $12,500 to abate the mold and asbestos in the building, and an estimated $74,000 to $94,500 to renovate it.
The school already is demolishing two nearby homes and, Gassner said, could add the third building to the existing contract for another $13,500.
Curator Greg Gaffke urged administrators to use any savings for finishing renovations at the President's House, 601 Jackson St.
Board members reluctantly agreed to a three-year Technology Management Services Agreement with the Ellucian company.
Kent Brown, LU's attorney, said several months of negotiations resulted in the company's agreeing to cover a full year of fees, instead of their three months proposal.
"That's moving from about $90,000 to $320,000," Brown said.
Officials had hoped for a better deal but, Curator and lawyer Dana Tippin Cutler noted: "Sadly, this is how it looks, everywhere you look."