Submitted by rashton on February 24, 2012 - 4:26pm
San Diego—San Diegans sent a strong message of support for the San Diego Community College District when they voted to pass Proposition S in 2002 and Proposition N in 2006. The bond measures provide $1.55 billion to support new construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects throughout San Diego for the community, and the students.
“When the voters of San Diego approved the construction bond measures, they were supporting adult education in San Diego,” said Dr. Anthony Beebe, President of Continuing Education. “Many adults in San Diego are without jobs and they need to update current skills or learn new ones to make them competitive jobseekers. The updated construction for classrooms is allowing us to provide high-level instruction in relevant, modern classroom space that improves and inspires our students.”
As a result of the bond measures, state-of-the art educational facilities are being built for San Diego Continuing Education. A previous expansion at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) now houses the largest automotive skills center of its kind in the nation. Upon completion of all projects, San Diego Continuing Education will be the only noncredit, community college continuing education institution in the nation with such an impressive portfolio of learning environments.
“This current project at ECC involves construction of an 18,135 square foot, two-story classroom wing,” said Jane Signaigo-Cox, Resident Dean at ECC. “Additionally, approximately 20,000 square feet of space within the existing building will be renovated to provide office, counseling, and teaching areas.”
The project is 25% complete, with full completion planned for later this year. The new construction is on track to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and 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.
The classrooms and offices in the portable structures currently located in the northwest part of the Educational Cultural Complex will be relocated into the new expansion. The vacated structures will then be removed, and that space converted to parking.