College Publisher Test Site

Issue date: 3/20/07 Section: News

Proposed allied health building founded by propositions.

Prop N passed in the November election with 63% of the voters supporting the community college construction bond measure. Prop S passed in 2002. Together, these two bonds will fund the campus build out plan.

And now, some long-awaited campus projects will be kicking in high gear, starting this summer.

First and foremost will be the much-needed campus parking structure, which will add over 1000 parking spaces to the campus. The structure will be located at the end of Mesa College Drive, where the roadway makes a 90 degree turn north into campus.

The San Diego City Council gave its approval of the 5-story parking structure in January of this year. Construction on the temporary construction entrance is scheduled to begin this July. The structure is set to begin construction in November or December.

Another highlight of the plans is the reconfiguration of the intersection at Mesa College Drive and Mesa College Circle. Currently, this is a busy pedestrian crossing with 3-way stop sign, and vehicles are routinely backed up during peak commuting hours. Under the new plans, this intersection will have a traffic light.

In order to provide transit access closer in to campus, a new Rosa Parks Memorial bus stop is to be located adjacent the parking structure.

Another major aspect of the designs will the demolition of the K, I and J-buildings which will make way for some form of a central campus gathering location. It has not been decided if this will be an amphitheater or something else.

For the major project funded by Prop N, the F-100 and F-200 buildings will demolished and a new Math and Science Building constructed.

According to Ron Perez, Vice President of Administrative Services, when he and the district were deciding what projects should take priority, they had to answer some important questions. "What is the purpose of the College? What do students need the most? It's basically the sciences."

Therefore, the Math and Science Building is a top priority of Prop N and the project has been fast-tracked.

Although Prop S and Prop N both provide funding for specific renovation and new construction projects, the significance of Prop N is that campus improvements can be completed faster than originally planned. According to Perez, "We plan on being built out by 2013, so we can cut 5 years off (the schedule)."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools