Submitted by rashton on Tue, 11/15/2011 - 9:28am
Rainy weather forces first-ever indoor ceremony with ‘virtual’ ceremonial scoop
SAN DIEGO – Steady rain and occasional downpours were not enough to deter the ceremonial groundbreaking of the expansion of the historical Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) November 4, prompting the relocation of the event to the indoor lobby, and the scooping of virtual dirt by speakers and others guests.
More than 65 community members, faculty, staff, contractors and district dignitaries attended the event, held to kick off the expansion of a new wing to the complex, intended to replace all outdated bungalows and modular classrooms with smart, state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories and other space.
“Gone are the grey, somber, barrack-like houses. Where before there was dullness, there is now beauty. Where there was dirt, there is a park. Where there was despair and decay, there is now hope for the future for out of the earth has sprung a beautiful complex, the Educational Cultural Complex,” said Anthony Beebe, Ed.D., the president of San Diego Continuing Education, reflecting on the evolution of the venerable complex. “In terms of history, we’re making history again!”
The $16.3 million project is the latest San Diego Community College District project funded by Propositions S and N. The project is on track to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) – one of six LEED-certified projects built or planned for San Diego Continuing Education campuses, and among 30 across the District. The project is expected to be completed in March 2013, and will provide much needed classrooms to help alleviate the current inability to add more classes and classrooms onsite.
“At Continuing Education, the philosophy is to accept any individual, regardless of academic background or life’s challenges, and take them through innovative instruction and offer student support services to transform these folks – and this is the place they come,” said Rich Grosch, president of the SDCCD Board of Trustees.
“What we are doing is addressing the needs of thousands to come,” praised Constance Carroll, SDCCD Chancellor. “From our propositions, to our specific plans, to all the hard work that went into it, this whole Continuing Education unit is nothing short of a class act.”
“Small business owners come to the ECC to use our computer labs to stay current with computer software, bookkeeping skills and web development so they can remain competitive with new social media and anything else that comes their way online,” said Ingrid Greenberg, President of Continuing Education’s Academic Senate and an instructor for ESL (English as a Second Language). We are proud of our students who work hard to learn, gain training, and then walk of out of these doors to navigate their careers and promote their businesses as they complete in this global economy and build a strong local community.”
Speaker Emma Wilson, a longtime instructor of Basic Skills for Continuing Education known as the “Queen of ECC”, moved many in the audience to tears during a passionate telling of the evolution of Continuing Education from a program and classroom framework to having a campus that offers official college degrees through City College within the SDCCD.
“The dream was that this (Educational Cultural Complex) would be a college. See, I don’t just work here. I live in this community, and if you walk out in my community and you say something about ECC, people say “Oh, that college over there.” We touch the lives and have touched the lives of many, many people. Let us continue to do so,” said Wilson, drawing a standing ovation by the attendees.
A ceremonial shovel, engraved with the date of the ceremony, was presented to President Beebe by Andy Kirby of C.W. Driver, the construction manager for the project
A new two-story, 18,135 square foot classroom wing will be added to the main building on campus to replace all outdated bungalows and modular classrooms, labs and support rooms. The wing will provide state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, lecture and support space and accommodate in-demand workforce training and preparation programs, and will alleviate the current inability to add more classes and classrooms on site.
A 19,700 square foot space within the existing facility will be renovated to be more space-efficient and provide offices, counseling and teaching areas. A new 55,000 square foot parking area will also be created.
All construction and major renovations by the San Diego Community College District are designed and built to obtain the highest possible certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The Educational Cultural Complex expansion includes a number of sustainable features:
- Advanced energy modeling was used at the onset of the design to help optimize window design, placement and shading, insulation levels, daylighting and natural ventilation opportunities, lighting and mechanical system selection, resulting in 25% savings in energy use.
- Low-flow and waterless plumbing fixtures reduce water consumption in the new areas by 40%.
- Water-efficient landscaping that uses native and adaptive landscaping and high-efficiency irrigation systems reduce exterior water consumption by over 50%.
- Recycled and regionally-harvested and manufactured materials will account for over 20% of all materials used. Only wood and wood products sustainably harvested will be used.
- Access to natural light and views help increase occupant comfort and productivity.
- Placement of the addition minimizes the impact to the campus, restores habitat, and improves stormwater controls.
Project Partners
Architect RJC Architects
Construction Mgr. CW Driver
Structural Engineer SMR-ISD Consulting Structural Engineers
Civil Engineer Masson & Associates
Electrical Engineer BSE Engineering
Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer MA Engineers
Fire Protection PD & C
Campus Project Manager Scott Ellis, URS Corp.
Project Manager Brian Browning, PE, Gafcon, Inc.
Propositions S & N Program Manager Gafcon, Inc.
The $1.555 billion Propositions S and N construction bond program is providing new state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, major renovations and campuswide infrastructure projects at City, Mesa and Miramar Colleges and six Continuing Education campuses throughout San Diego.