This content was published: September 18, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Tours of Rock Creek’s Building 5 give a tantalizing preview of good things to come
Photos and story by Katherine Miller
Dana Fuller, Rock Creek’s division dean of social science, communication studies and health (second from left), gives staff and faculty a tour of their new offices in Building 5.
“Fabulous,” “thoughtful” and “exciting.” That was just some of the reaction this week when a group of Rock Creek faculty and staff toured their future home in Building 5, one of four tours that Fortis Construction gave there on Tuesday as part of in-service day activities.
This group was comprised of faculty and staff for social science, communication studies and health. Division Dean Dana Fuller led the group throughout the unfinished spaces, pointing out the location of offices, kitchen facilities, coffee room and common areas.
Building 5 is undergoing extensive renovations as part of the $63 million in improvements funded by the 2008 voter-approved bond measure. In summer 2014, a large portion of the building was demolished to make way for a 62,000-square-foot addition.
“We feel very fortunate to be moving into this beautiful building,” said Fuller. “We’ll have more space – environmentally friendly space, thoughtful space for students to gather and study, and fabulous equipment for our faculty to use.”
The new addition is being built in an L-shape around the remaining structure. Fuller’s division will share Building 5 with student resource groups, student government, the campus bookstore and expanded food services. Classrooms, a lab, and a multipurpose physical education/dance classroom are also planned.
“I think they’ve done a really nice job with the kitchen and bringing in some new food and produce from the Learning Garden. We’ve added general purpose classrooms, and the Food and Nutrition lab, so we’ll be growing and further developing that program,” said Fuller.
Although 99 percent of the exterior of the addition is complete, much work remains to be finished inside the building, as well as sidewalks and landscaping outside.
Still, it was apparent to faculty and staff that the new spaces are generous, open, light-filled and welcoming. Kate Malone Kimmich, instructor with Foods and Nutrition faculty, praised the new facilities. “I really appreciate how when you look out over the new building roof you can see the garden. I think that really brings the programs and the living landscape together with what we’re doing here.”
Ben Cushing, instructor with the sociology faculty, was also impressed.
“I think it’s really beautiful. The space is really bright, which I really appreciate. I’m also really excited to be moving into a new space, even though I’m sad to be leaving Building 3 with the gorgeous view to the north. I think it’s exciting to get a sense of where we’re going to be.”
Building 5 is on schedule to be completed by the end of the year, in time to welcome students for winter term 2016.
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.