Shweta Saraswat
The various construction projects scattered around campus will all contribute to what construction director David Tsao calls a “brand new facelift” for Pierce College.It was a busy year for building, since the new projects have completed the design stage and have begun to be physically realized. All over the campus, trenches are being dug to install new electric and water lines, while huge portions of land are fenced off for entirely new structures, such as the new Student Services Building and the future Center for the Sciences.Throughout all the commotion, Tsao and his workers have been thankful that “people have been very tolerant” of the inconveniences sometimes caused when roads are torn up and sections of campus are blocked off.”There has been more excitement than complaints,” Tsao said, “and that’s a good thing.”All of the projects presently underway have been covered by the $280 million Pierce received through Props A and AA. If citizens vote for a $3 billion bond in November, Pierce is likely to begin designing many new facilities.
MAJOR PROJECTS
ROADWAYS AND INFRASTRUCTURES:-Includes the straightening of Brahma Drive to make room for the new Student Services Building-Includes utilities necessary for new structures-seen in trenches being dug all year [water/power/sewer lines]-Cost = $28,684,000-April 23, 2007 to Fall 2008
EL RANCHO DRIVE:-Completely redone; to open onto De Soto Avenue and be equipped with new streetlights-Cost = $1,312,000-Dec. 27, 2007 to Summer 2008
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND OLYMPIC DRIVE-Olympic Drive to be extended across Mason Avenue to service new Child Development Center (CDC)-CDC to be located on the northwest intersection of Mason Avenue and Olympic Drive-Cost = $6,887,000-June 2008 to December 2009
PARKING LOT 8-To be located between extended Olympic Drive and El Rancho Drive, near Mason Avenue-723 new spaces-Cost = $2,385,000-May 2008 to Fall 2008
CENTER FOR THE SCIENCES-In construction, located on southeast corner of Olympic Drive and Mason Avenue-Cost = $40,257,000-August 27, 2007 to Winter 2009
RENOVATION OF THE MALL-Includes landscaping, new road, additional benches and additional student-gathering areas-Cost = $9,993,000-Phase 1: Brahma Drive to Life Sciences Building -April 2009 to Summer 2009-Phase 2: Life Sciences Building to Olympic Drive -February 2010 to Summer 2010
SOUTH OF MALL RENOVATION-Includes renovation of faculty offices, Performing Arts Building and Fine Arts Building-Classes will be relocated to temporary structures in the Village-Cost = $5,685,000-October 2008 to Fall 2009
NORTH OF MALL RENOVATION-Includes Life Sciences, Chemistry and Physics Buildings-Cost = $7,692,000-October 2009 to Fall 2010
FTA BUS RAPID TRANSIT EXTENSION & WINNETKA / MASON DESOTO ENTRANCES-Includes paved, tree-lined walkway from MTA bus stops across fields to campus and new marquee at Winnetka Avenue and Victory Boulevard-Cost = $1,430,000-September 2008 to Spring 2009
P.E. FACILITIES RENOVATION-Includes renovations of North and South Gyms as well as installation of additional pool alongside existing pool.-Cost = $14,024,000-July 2008 to Fall 2009
ADMINISTRATION PARKING LOT (LOT 1) RENOVATION-Includes creation of multiple lanes and more spaces to decrease congestion-Cost = $3,075,000-February 2009 to Summer 2009