Higher education officials on Thursday authorized the use of $25 million in bonds to renovate a building that was donated to the Kansas University Cancer Center for use as a clinical research facility.

“This is a marvelous project and one that the state is going to be very proud of when it is finished,” said Regents Chairman Gary Sherrer of Overland Park.

The 75,000-square-foot building in Fairway was donated to KU by the Hall Family Foundation. The bonds will be paid off through the Johnson County Research Triangle sales tax.

Regent Dan Lykins of Topeka said the donation and use of Johnson County sales tax dollars for the building illustrates how the state is no longer involved in constructing buildings for universities.

“I see that as a problem. These buildings belong to the people of Kansas,” Lykins said.