OXFORD — Miami University’s Kreger Hall is vacant.

The 80-year-old building is in need of an estimated $17 million renovation before the university can use it for physics and engineering-related classes, said Miami Finance Director David Creamer.

But the project was put on hold when Miami, and all other state universities and colleges, did not receive any state money for renovations or new construction in the budget.

Now Miami will need to coordinate with other institutions of higher education to ensure the East Spring Street building sees the repairs it needs.

“We’re not overstretching ourselves or asking the state to give us any other funds than what we’ve previously requested,” said Facility Planner Randy Stephens. “We think it’s fair and reasonable.”

Gov. John Kasich has asked Ohio’s universities and colleges to work together and reach a consensus on which projects they deem most deserving of the state’s “restrained” capital improvement budget, said Rob Nichols, the governor’s spokesman.

Ohio State University President Gordon Gee is leading the effort, and a plan must be submitted by mid-February, Nichols said. 

“As we continue to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly, the governor wants to encourage collaboration among our institutions of higher education, to have them working together as a university system — rather than as individual institutions — to ensure that the projects most critical to Ohio are able to be funded in the capital bill,” Nichols said.

Creamer said it’s too early to know the impact on Miami.

“Until we know what the dollar amount will be, and we have a better sense of the projects that will be priorities, it’s too early to tell,” Creamer said.

In 2009-10, Miami received $20 million for capital improvements for all campuses. The university, like all others in state, received no funds for 2011-12.

“Every time the capital plan gets bypassed, we have to delay those projects until we find out how to fund it differently,” Stephens said.

Miami has been able to move forward with renovations to residence halls using funds from the housing and dining department.

The university has also started construction on the new Armstrong Student Center, which will be funded through donations and future student fees.