CASTINE – The governor’s proposed $397 million bond proposal includes $2 million earmarked for Maine Maritime Academy that would address a number of infrastructure projects on campus.

Gov. John Baldacci unveiled the two separate bond packages on Monday. The MMA funding would be included in the second of the two packages that includes more than $30 million for Maine’s public colleges and $45 million for research and development at the University of Maine.

Maine Maritime Academy officials had sought more than the $2 million allocation, but President Leonard Tyler said Wednesday the college will be pleased with any bond funding the voters approve.

“Most of this will go toward infrastructure repairs and renovations,” Tyler said. “We’ve identified about $9 million in deferred maintenance projects that need attention.”

The funds also could be used for technology improvements throughout the campus.

The trustees have not yet ranked projects that would be funded through the bond funds, he said. The college recently completed a master plan for the campus that identified a number of issues, some of which could be funded with the $2 million.

The MMA pier is in need of repair, and is expected to cost between $200,000 and $400,000, Tyler said.

The master plan also noted several energy conservation projects, including replacing all of the single-pane windows in Curtis Hall with double-pane windows. That project is estimated to cost in the $200,000 range, he said.

“Curtis Hall is a pretty big building and there’s a tremendous amount of glass in it,” he said. “We think we could see a fairly quick payback on that project through energy savings.”

Housing has been an issue for the college for several years and the bond would provide funds to ease that situation. MMA already is working on a project – outside of the bond funds — that will convert the former sick bay area in Curtis Hall to 24 additional dorm rooms. That project will be done this summer, Tyler said.

The bond funds, however, would be used to renovate three wooden structures on campus that now are being used as faculty offices. The renovated buildings would be used for senior student housing, Tyler said.

The bond funds also could be used for renovations at Dismukes Hall, creating additional faculty offices in the building and also creating what Tyler called a one-stop-shopping office area containing admissions, registrar and financial aid offices.

College officials had discussed a major renovation at Dismukes Hall to allow it to continue to be used for classrooms, but have opted instead to build a new academic building on campus. Plans for that project are in the early stages, and the construction likely will be part of a new capital campaign, that could include a future bond request from the state, Tyler said.

The two housing projects are expected to resolve housing issues at the campus for the time being and eliminate the need to build off-campus housing, which the trustees have considered during the past several years. If enrollment remains at its current levels of 800-850 undergraduate students, existing housing should be able to handle those needs, Tyler said.

“With all we’re doing in the dorms and renovating a few of those buildings, should relieve some of the pressure to build something else at this time,” he said.

He pointed out, however, that interest in attending the college has increased in recent year, especially among Maine students.

“If that kind of growth continues, especially from Maine students, there may be some pressure to do something different,” he said. “We may have to look at alternative housing.”

If voters approve the bond package as presented, the funds will be allocated in two installments, the first coming in 2008.