University takes first step toward moving into SunTrust building

         Georgia State has begun the first stage of preparing the SunTrust building for the university's needs.

         The university officially posted a request for qualifications on Jan. 9. The request seeks the credentials of potential contractors for a $3 million renovation to the building funded by the Board of Regents.

         The renovation, in its first phase, will be centralized to the sixth floor and eighth through the 12^th floors, each approximately 14,500 square feet. The renovation looks to "refit [the] floors, [the] low voltage network" and update the mechanical controls throughout the building, according to the request.

          The new spaces created by the renovation will consist of offices, conference rooms and some special use areas.

          The university is hoping to minimize the costs of the interior refit by "reusing ceilings, flooring, and as much as possible of [the] walls and other finishes."

         The refit "will be limited to patching and matching existing finishes as much as possible, and there are no plans to replace the ceiling, floor finishes or existing wall finishes throughout."

        "The majority of the building is vacant and GSU does not currently occupy any of the floors in the tower," reads the request.

         The request also divulges that four departments will be "moving in with the first phase." However, it does not name the departments "in case the situation changes."   

        The renovation calls for a new natural gas generator. While the building presently has a generator, the report says that it does not meet the building's needs.

The 12^th floor houses a catering kitchen that will be downgraded, according to the request.

        The university plans to start the first phase of construction on the SunTrust tower on June 1^st.  The university hopes that Georgia State departments will begin to move into the sixth and 12^th floors in late August or early September and floors eight through eleven in December.

      Georgia State purchased the SunTrust complex for $55.2 million in late 2006. The complex is comprised of a 27-story tower at 25 Park Place, three smaller buildings and an eight-story parking garage. The complex will be used for classroom space, an auditorium and office space.