Roundup Staff
As jackhammers pounded and bulldozers groaned behind him, Pierce College President Robert Garber announced that the Los Angeles Community College District board of trustees is considering a third bond measure to provide additional funding for construction on the district’s nine campuses during a news conference on April 2.
The proposed bond, which Garber affectionately refers to as Proposition ‘J’ for ‘Jobs,’ would provide around $3 billion over the next eight to 10 years to allow for the completion of planned construction projects and renovations across the district, according to Garber.
The construction of new buildings at Pierce will have a “tremendous impact” on the campus, Garber said.
Progress made through funding provided by the A/AA bonds is evident across the campus, and more projects wait in the wings.
The board of trustees may vote on whether to pursue the third bond during its meeting at Pierce, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. April 23 in the new Student Community Center.
Gesturing over his shoulder to the in-progress Student Services building, Garber said, “We took the opportunity during spring break to put in the vertical steel.
“With this, the Center for the Sciences and other construction on campus, we have about $100 million in building projects underway.”
Including enterprises that have not yet been started, including a new library and a Child Development Center, renovations to the old bookstore, a digital arts and media building, an Equestrian Center and the addition of a 700-space parking lot, the total building cost at Pierce will be approximately $276 million, according to Garber.
“We want to create educational opportunities that provide and broaden career pathways for students,” he said.
In a sign of resourcefulness, the Child Development Center will be constructed using funds saved during other building projects.
Finally, a food court project is in the works that will include four to six outside vendors, along with indoor and outdoor dining areas.
This is in response to Pierce’s floundering cafeteria, which reportedly loses between $125,000 and $175,000 annually, according to Garber.
Vendors being considered include Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Subway, Panda Express and Poquito Mas.
“We’re still getting the final perspective on the food court and it would take around 36 months to realize profits in return,” Garber said. “Students need to be provided
quality food services if they attend classes from morning to night.”
All current construction and renovation projects and plans are expected to be completed by mid-2010.