This content was published: July 17, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
New skylight will help Sylvania’s College Center shine
Photos and story by Katherine Miller
Workers demolished part of the roof in the upper mall at College Center in preparation for installing three large skylights. Photo courtesy of Howard S. Wright.
PCC Sylvania’s College Center was built in the late 1960s, and the building’s interior has been described by some as dark and gloomy. But come fall, three adjacent skylights will be added, flooding the upper mall of the remodeled campus hub with natural light.
The skylights – part of the Phase II improvements funded by the 2008 voter-approved bond measure – are being installed between the Information Desk and the Environmental Center. When completed, they will measure a total of 18 feet by 54 feet and have the same vibrant yellow walls as the skylight that was added to the lower mall in Phase I.
In preparation for the installation, construction workers had to demolish a portion of the concrete roof. Kairy Park, project engineer with Howard S. Wright, said that since this noisy work was done at night, the biggest challenge was sound mitigation for the surrounding neighborhood.
As construction continues, partitions will remain in place, and the College will continue to work 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, the skylights are projected to be finished by mid-September.
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.