Florida House budget includes $4M for Pharmacy Phase II

The 2013-2014 Florida House of Representatives budget appropriates $4M for Phase II of FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences building. Pharmacy Phase II is FAMU’s top construction priority.

Pharmacy Phase II will include much-needed laboratory and classroom space. FAMU Pharmacy needs this expansion in order to remain in compliance with the standards of the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education.

There is a total of $68M for Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) projects in the Florida’s House’s budget. PECO dollars come from utility taxes. The state has had very little PECO money in recent years due to housing market crash and citizens shaving their energy costs by purchasing more energy efficient appliances.

The Florida Legislature has appropriated $26,071,000 toward the cost of Pharmacy Phase II since 2003-2004. The total estimated budget is $37,551,000. FAMU has finished the off-site storm water management facility for the new building and the off-site utility project.

FAMU needs just over $11M to complete Pharmacy Phase II. The university has requested $8,600,000 for the project in 2013-2014. It plans to request another $3,000,000 in 2014-2015 for utility infrastructure expenses associated with the building.