Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC opens new 82nd Avenue Southeast Center

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – Students returning from the holidays will have one more option for higher education with the opening of the PCC’s new Southeast Center, located at 2305 S.E. 82nd Ave. at Division Street. PCC transformed a site that contained a vacant builders supply store and supermarket to create the new facility. Funds to build the new site came from a $144 million bond measure that voters approved in November of 2000 for college construction, repairs and technology upgrades. The new center costs $26.3 million, which includes purchase of the land, construction, permits, furniture and equipment. The facility will open Dec. 29 and winter term classes begin Jan. 5. The new location replaces the existing center, which is several blocks south. It will allow students to complete the first year of a college transfer degree at the site, not a sure thing at the old location. The courses will range from art, history and writing to math, business administration, economics and general science. Several of the classrooms hold brand new flat-screened computers. Students will also be able to study several professional-technical training programs, such as Computer Applications and Office Systems, Management and Supervisory Development, and Industrial Occupations (trades). The center will house the college’s alternative high school program and English as a second language will be offered, plus a variety of non-credit courses through Community Education.A special benefit is the addition of expanded art facilities, with the construction of dance, painting and ceramics studios, and a photography darkroom. A fitness center is also located on the campus. The headquarters for the college’s Extended Learning Campus, which offers a wide array of workforce training, adult basic education, personal interest and continuing education programs, will also be located at the new site. This winter, approximately 11,500 students will be able to take advantage of the added courses, about 1,500 more students than at the old site. Plans for the future include even more growth."To have a community focus with this center will benefit all of us,"said Paul Ellison, president of the 82nd Avenue Business Association and branch manager of a Bank of the West nearby the center. "The education center will help attract students and improve the economic diversity in the area."Ellison said the site had deteriorated and been marked with graffiti. "It’s nice to have something of this caliber next door. PCC will be a good neighbor,"he said.The new complex is 94,000 square feet and is located on a 10.3-acre site. Workers extensively remodeled the builders supply store and used the foundation of the grocery store for construction of the largest facility, Mt. Tabor. Bays cut out of the rectangular building bring in natural light and add exterior courtyards. A great hall with an atrium ceiling is banked by a wall of glass windows looking out to a circular plaza. A new 23,000-square-foot building was added to the site. The two-story Mt. Scott Hall overlooks 82nd Avenue with views of the butte in the distance. The two structures are connected by a covered walkway. Nan Poppe, president of PCC’s Extended Learning Campus, said the new building is a testament to community support for PCC. "In a year dominated by bad news about education in Oregon and funding, this center is a high note,"she said. "We are excited to be able to bring more educational opportunity to an area of metropolitan Portland that has been under-served for too many years."####Grand opening of new Southeast CenterWhat: PCC will celebrate the opening of its new Southeast Center.When: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27.Where: Southeast 82nd Avenue and Division Street.Who: PCC Board Chair and southeast Portland resident Bob Palmer will serve as emcee.Details: Fireworks will kick off the new center, with a display sponsored by Western Display Fireworks. Bank of the West will also help sponsor the opening. Tours will be available and refreshments will be served. The public is invited. For more details, call 503-788-6230.