The University of Minnesota will seek $232.7 million in state funds next year as part of an ongoing project to bring aging buildings up to code and update or replace research facilities on the Twin Cities and Duluth campuses.

The 2014 capital request was formally endorsed Friday by the Board of Regents. The Minnesota Legislature is expected to consider the request next session. If approved, the university would contribute an additional $66.3 million to the project, bringing the total to $299 million.

Officials say the funds are needed to preserve some of the U's oldest buildings and to bring science and engineering facilities up to date. About a fourth of the university's buildings are more than 70 years old.

The 2014 wish list includes:

• $100 million to improve safety and energy efficiency and upgrade utilities.

• $85 million to renovate the Tate Science building on the Minneapolis campus.

• $45 million for a microbial sciences research building on the St. Paul campus.

• $15 million for a campus wellness center on the Crookston campus.

• $18 million to improve labs for research on honeybees, invasive aquatic species and other projects.

• $36 million for a chemical sciences and advanced materials building on the Duluth campus.

Maura Lerner