MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – University of Minnesota regents are expected to approve a formal request to the Legislature for $170 million in building and renovation projects during their regular meeting Friday.

The 2011 capital budget request calls for the university to match the state’s contribution with nearly $40 million in bonds sold by the university for a total capital budget of $209 million.

The university would spend about $90 million to repair and upgrade existing buildings. The second-largest budget line, at $81 million, is the conversion of the Old Main Steam Plant on the Twin Cities campus into a multiple-use building with gas-fired turbines to generate electricity.

The regents are also expected to vote on President Eric Kaler’s pick for the next provost, Karen Hanson of Indiana University.

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