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fcc first responders campus

The Fresno City College First Responders Center at North and Willow avenues is scheduled to be complete mid-year and be ready for fall classes. Photo by Ben Hensley

published on February 8, 2023 - 1:54 PM
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With the start of the spring semester, both State Center Community College District and Fresno State look to continue infrastructure improvements, with both districts continuing work on projects already in progress and beginning entirely new projects altogether. 

State Center Community College District

 State Center Community College District (SCCCD) continues to capitalize on Measure C funding approved by voters in 2016 to expand and renovate, executing projects at all four of the district’s colleges as well as expansion of off-campus facilities.

On Dec. 1, Fresno City College (FCC) welcomed its most recently completed project — a new $18.3 million parking structure, providing around 900 additional parking spaces and filling a decades-long need for staff and students.

“This will definitely alleviate that problem and that congestion for some of our neighborhoods,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer at the grand opening of the structure. “It is more than a building. It is more than a parking stall. It is foundational and it is transformational for people who attend Fresno City College.”

In addition to construction of the parking structure, work is well underway on the new science building, scheduled to open in early 2024, as well as the new child development center, also located adjacent to the science building project just off Blackstone on the FCC campus.

clovis community college parking lot
Work continues on a new Applied Technology building as well as parking lot improvements at Clovis Community College. The building is expected to be completed this year. Photo by Ben Hensley

 

Off campus, the FCC First Responders Center, which broke ground last year as well, is scheduled to be completed near the middle of this year be ready for the fall semester. It is located near North and Willow avenues.

This spring should also welcome the completion of the FCC West Fresno Campus, expanding the college’s reach and accessibility to Southwest Fresno. With a targeted completion date this spring, the college hopes to begin enrolling students for the fall semester.

The West Campus development will likely see multiple buildings added to it throughout the years, according to SCCCD Vice Chancellor Christine Miktarian.

“For community colleges, we build [buildings] as we need them,” she said. “We have a large, long-term master plan for all of the colleges; so, we’ll build one building at a time.”

West Fresno’s campus will see a “stair step” approach to its construction projects, adding projects as needed. Miktarian said the master plan does not currently include separating the campus into its own independent college, but the concept may be revisited down the line.

fcc parking garage
The new $18.3 million parking structure at Fresno City College has room for 900 additional parking spaces desperately needed for the campus. Photo by Ben Hensley

 

Across town at Clovis Community College, construction continues on a new Applied Technology building — the third major education center at the college — as well as traffic and circulation improvements.

The building is estimated to be completed at the end of this year.

The construction of the Applied Tech. building is phase one of a three-phase project that will see the construction of an additional learning center. Phases two and three are still seeking funding prior to the design phase, estimated to start toward the end of the year.

Reedley College’s $28 million performing arts building and its child development centers are currently under construction, with both buildings scheduled to be completed this year.

The college is also in the process of acquiring funding for phase one and two of the modernization of the Agricultural Center. With a distant completion estimate of 2027, the modernization and expansion projects are unlikely to see visible progress until the end of 2025.

Madera Community College saw the opening of its Academic Village Two (AV2) building last year.

Additionally, the Oakhurst Center — an extension of Madera Community College — breaks ground early this year, with an estimated completion in 2024.

Next year, the SCCCD master plan has the potential to add new projects with revisions determined at meetings throughout the year.

California State University, Fresno

Fresno State will undergo several projects over the next several years that include projects under development as well as current construction and modernization projects.

Following a year which saw the completion of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union last year, the college will focus on improvements to existing facilities, including upgrades to existing roofing at the Student Health Center as well as continued upgrades to the campus water system.

The campus is also undergoing construction of a $32 million utility plant that will see continued construction, with an estimated completion date of 2024.

In addition to the added infrastructure, other smaller projects continue, including the campus wide modernization of HVAC systems as well as exterior window replacement at the music building.

Additionally, a project for the concert hall has recently been added to the list of improvements, though the college is currently in the design phase.

Lastly, the Lyles College of Engineering will see the opening of its student center later this year, a project that will enclose an exterior area near the main building. This addition will provide student study and lounge space within the Engineering East building.

“Most of these projects will not require a building closure. However, it may require intermittent utility shutdowns and some temporary office relocations” said Tinnah Medina, associate vice president of facilities management. “We work closely with Academic Affairs and our colleges and schools to minimize any disruptions to the campus community.”

Projects currently under development include the modernization of a chemistry lab inside McLane Hall as well as maintenance projects improving HVAC and lighting systems inside several buildings, including Joyal and McLane halls.

Elevator modernization plans are also in development for McLane Hall, the Peters Business Building and Baker Hall.

Just over $3 million in donor funds will also be set aside for renovation inside several rooms at the Gumz Enology building.

Additionally, a $60 million affordable student housing project is under development. Ground has not yet broken on the project, but there are hopes to see construction begin in late fall. Details on the location of the new housing complex are still being determined, however the project will be located within the footprint of Fresno State’s current campus housing complex.

According to Medina, an estimated completion date of 2025 is dependent on state fire marshal approvals.


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