University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor Patricia Spakes recently announced a funding request for the $24 million construction of a new four-story building on Jefferson Street was approved by the university’s Finance, Audit, and Facilities Committee.

“It was unanimously approved, which means we can go ahead with that project,” Spakes wrote in a May 13 e-mail to staff. “It has been challenging to plan this project and also respond to the changing circumstances caused by fluctuating funding and economic uncertainties.”

As currently designed, the project includes a pedestrian bridge across the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks, creates new office space, and expands the university’s library.

Funding sources include capital funding from the state and borrowed money that the university will pay back using student building fees and real estate revenue. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed in summer 2012.