Three South Dakota State University building projects now have the approval of both houses of the South Dakota Legislature.

House Bill 1025 authorizes the state Board of Regents to construct a new motor pool building on the Brookings campus.

House Bill 1026 allows for construction of phase II of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science building, and House Bill 1027 authorizes construction of a visitor center on the grounds of McCrory Gardens.

All three bills easily passed in the Senate earlier this week. Greater E85 use

The motor pool building, with an estimated price tag of $234,300, will be located on the north side of campus, where the university is relocating its motor pool. The move is prompted by the need for new fuel tanks.

After the move, the university plans to use more ethanol, including E85 and other blends. The new motor pool area would be adjacent to the Coughlin-Alumni Stadium parking lot, relocating from Medary Avenue.

With a price tag of $5.1 million, phase II will add 29,000 square feet of new space to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science building. It's meant to replace the same amount of space in nearby Harding Hall.

Harding was initially built as a residence hall and then converted for academic use. Harding to be razed

Phase II plans call for the old, inefficient space to eventually be demolished.

The $4 million McCrory Gardens visitor center will be located on the northeast side of the gardens, with an entrance from 22nd Avenue across the street from Walmart.

HB 1027 says the project will not exceed 10 000 feet.In discussion on the Senate floor, Dist. 18 Sen. Jean Hunhoff said the facility will include laboratory space, a multi-purpose classroom, restrooms, two seminar rooms, office, storage and service areas and a small retail area.

Funds raised from leasing out space at the center will cover maintenance and operating costs. Sen. Ryan Maher, who voted against the bill, questioned the need for the new building. "This is the third building we've put on this garden in the last four years that I've been here. " The question becomes, are we running a development park or a garden ?"

Dist. 7 Sen. Pam Merchant said McCrory Gardens is one of the most visited sites in Brookings and is the only botanical garden in the state. "I think that this visitor center is a long time coming, and it will be a great site for a classroom-community setting."

None of the construction projects will use money from the state's general fund.

All three bills passed in the Senate on Tuesday and will move on to the governor for his signature.

Contact Jill Fier at jfier@brookingsregister .com.