A $2.43 billion bond package to strengthen research and workforce development at four-year institutions —  includes two Longwood University construction projects — is included in the Virginia General Assembly-recommended budget, which is being reviewed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Proposed projects included in the bond package include constructing a new academic building and replacing the steam distribution system on Wheeler Mall, according to a governor’s release.

“We are deeply appreciative to the General Assembly and the governor for their support  for higher education and for Longwood,” said Longwood spokesman Matthew McWilliams.

“We are looking forward to the finalization of the budget and bond package when the General Assembly reconvenes as usual next month, and looking forward to taking steps with capital project planning at the university over the summer.”

Justin Pope, who serves as chief of staff to Longwood President W. Taylor Reveley IV, previously told The Herald that “the new academic building is one of several projects currently in Longwood’s planning and construction pipeline.”

In December, he described the new academic space as being a 42,000 square-foot building that will be located behind French Hall and “provide a substantial portion of the additional academic space we will need in the years to come in a single cost-effective project.”

Pope said the building could contain an assortment of classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, student research/inquiry space, library outpost, a faculty development center and distance learning facilities in addition to space for student research and science, technology engineering, math and health programs.