Facilities to propose three new projects to board on Wednesday

The Facilities Council will propose three capital projects, all with an estimated cost above $17 million, to the MHCC District board Wednesday.
Facilities Director Dick Byers said Thursday the board will determine what should be presented to the state for funding by the 2013 Legislature.

Byers said the three projects involve remodeling or construction in three major areas on campus. “The three projects being considered, in no specific order, are: a library remodel with new space; a technology innovation center or TIC building; or a Student Services enhancement.”

The cost of these projects is estimated with a percentage price escalation for two time frames. Each project has a price if the funds become available between 2012-2015 and a different price if the funds become available between 2015-2020.

He said the library remodel and new space would include “expanding the footprint of the library, which would mean moving into the Public Safety area, the Testing Center, and the smaller joining areas behind the existing library.”

He also said the open ceiling area on the third floor of the library would be filled in to make a complete level. The estimated price of this project is $26.5 million to $29.2 million.

For the Technology Innovation Center (TIC), Byers said all the operations from the current Industrial Technology building would be moved into the TIC and the technology building would be demolished. The proposed TIC would be built north of the technology center and east of the allied health area. Estimated cost for the TIC is $17.3 million to $19 million.

For the Student Services enhancement, Byers said the current area would be remodeled and the area between the 1400 and 1500 wings would be connected, and a proposed Hood River terrace construction would make student services a three-story area. The student services enhancement is estimated to cost $23.9 million to $26.3 million.