This content was published: June 17, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Sylvania bond improvements to continue through summer
Photos and story by Katherine Miller
Student Services in Sylvania’s College Center will be open for business this summer, although students should expect construction work nearby.
For many students at Portland Community College, summer is a time for a well-earned break from studies. But the construction and improvements funded by the 2008 voter-approved bond measure will continue throughout the season. Here’s an overview of the work happening at Sylvania:
College Center, Phase II:
Phase II of the bond work is primarily focused on the College Center’s “Central East Neighborhood,” where starting next week temporary partitions and fences will be erected both inside and outside the building. The space will be completely renovated for several departments, including Advising, Counseling, Testing, Health Admissions, Jobs and Internships, Career Exploration and a multipurpose room. Seismic reinforcement work as well as heating, ventilation and cooling upgrades will be completed during the construction of the new offices.
Partitions will also be erected in the upper mall between the Information Desk and the Environmental Center in order to install a large new skylight. The College will be working with Information Desk staff throughout the process to assess the impact and potential disruption to services, making modifications as necessary.
According to Gary Sutton, the project manager for Sylvania, existing offices and services within the CC will remain open during Phase II and minimally affected by the construction. The skylight is projected to be finished by mid-September, while the Central East Neighborhood is expected to be completed in December.
Health Technology Building:
The third floor Radiography area will be renovated to accommodate new imaging equipment. Work will include the demolition of the existing imaging rooms, dark room and classroom. In the Dental area on the second floor, existing dental chairs will be replaced with new chairs. The work in both areas is expected to be completed in September.
Social Science and Technology Building:
A light remodel will be given to SS 201, 211 and 213, including new finishes and sound attenuation upgrades. This work is expected to be completed in September.
Work with the noisiest impact will occur during off hours. And for all the projects there will be signage in place to help direct students, faculty and staff in and around areas of construction. People are urged to take extra precaution and be aware of signage as they locate alternate routes.
Site Improvements and parking:
A new storm water detention facility will be installed at the south end of the Parking Lot 5, which will temporarily affect some of the parking in that lot as well as a few stalls along G Street. This work is expected to be completed in September.
Meanwhile, the light pole fixtures in lots 9 through 14, and G Street from Lesser Road to K Street, will be replaced with new energy efficient LED fixtures. This phase is scheduled to be completed by the start of fall term. Parking lot 14 will be closed for the summer, and lots 9 through 13 will close on a rotating basis to accommodate the various phases of construction.
There will be some temporary lighting along G Street for the summer. For anyone who is going to be on campus late, parking in lots 1 through 8 is recommended.
PCC’s 2008 voter-approved $374 million bond program is increasing opportunities for residents to access quality, affordable higher education close to where they live and work. Additional classrooms, updated equipment and technology, and advanced workforce training programs are helping to pave the way for future employment options. For more information, visit the bond website.