This content was published: May 7, 2013. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
End of Spring term triggers major facelift for Sylvania’s College Center
Photos and story by Gina Whitehill-Baziuk
May 7, 2013
Written by Gina Whitehill-Baziuk
Spring flowers aren’t the only thing that will be emerging come the close of Spring term. After many years of careful planning, design and dialogue, bond-funded construction is accelerating across the Sylvania Campus. Over the summer months the College Center, Automotive Metals, Health Technology and Social Science buildings will all be under construction.
To improve ADA access for the College Center, construction crews will be installing a new glass elevator at the north end of the building.
1. North Elevator in the College Center: A new glass elevator will be installed at the north end of the CC building. This bond and FMS funded addition will greatly facilitate ADA access to all levels of the CC building including roof access for efficient maintenance of building mechanical systems. This project will be completed over the summer months and will be usable come September.
2. Automotive Metals building Remodel Phase 1: Built in 1968, the Automotive Metals building is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Beginning this summer and slated for completion January 2014, the AM Building will see major upgrades to the existing infrastructure. For the most part the work will be going on around the Automotive, Machine Technology and Engineering programs. The new AM Storage building will provide swing space for staff and faculty while the main AM building receives a number of improvements, such as new lighting, sound mitigation between the classrooms and shop and replacement of hoses and reels. As part of a grant donation, a new Dynometer for automotive diagnostics, will also be installed.
3. HVAC Upgrade in the Health Technology building: Help is on the way for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system in the building. A new HVAC system will replace the existing older system, improving support to the buildings lab spaces, and providing flexibility for future program development. It is anticipated that the new system will be operational by the end of summer.
4. Social Sciences (ABE/GED) renovation work: Renovation of the Adult Basic Education (ABE) and General Education Degree (GED) program area staff space and classrooms will start and finish over the summer months. The entire ground-floor of the southeast corner of the SS building will be reworked to allow for two adequately sized general purpose classrooms and a new computer classroom. ABE/GED will move to temporary quarters on the second floor until construction is completed. By fall term, the teaching environment will enjoy new furniture, projectors and podiums.
New student services area central information zone in the CC building (conceptual rendering)
Newly remodeled series of ramps for a more open and accessible lower mall (conceptual rendering)
5. College Center Phase 1: Beginning this summer and continuing over the next three years, two-thirds of the CC building will be overhauled in four phases of construction. This central hub of the campus houses student services and government, college administration and food services. The first phase of construction will impact the southeast corner of the building. The recent move of tutoring and the Computer Resource Center to the library frees up space for a realignment of student services and the future home of financial aid, the business office, registration and administration.
Throughout the renovation work the college will remain fully operational and responsive to student, faculty and staff needs. Some program areas will be moved to temporary quarters – such as the multicultural center’s move to the Cedar Room. Others, such as Campus Technology Services, will move to new permanent homes. Their new space will be in the basement of the HT Building where better delivery access and loading and unloading will be available.
Perhaps one of the most exciting renovations to happen this summer is the transformation of the lower mall. The newly designed space will enable ADA access from the upper to the lower mall with a series of ramps and the deletion of difficult to maneuver stairs. By spring 2014 the entire lower mall area will be improved with new lighting and sound acoustics, furniture, improved way finding and lots more COLOR!
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 www.pcc.edu/about/bond/about.