File photo.
Long Beach City College (LBCC) began $14 million renovations for its science Building D yesterday in an effort to prepare students for challenges in STEM fields in the 21st Century by adding newer, enhanced facilities and increased capacity, the school announced yesterday.
According to a release issued yesterday, the building will still be open during school hours while under construction and will see improvements in access along with “green building practices” that reduces water usage and energy.
“This renovation will revitalize our science programs with state-of-the-art facilities and technology to better prepare students for 21st Century challenges in critical STEM fields,” said LBCC Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley in a statement. “It will also increase capacity and allow more students to enroll in science courses.”
The building project is funded through the Measure E Bond, passed in 2008, which allocates a total $14.17 million toward renovations. A total of $440 million, funded by the bond, is provided for new construction, repairs and renovations at LBCC’s Liberal Arts and Pacific Coast campuses.
According the release, Building D renovations will include:
- First and second floor renovations of 17,512 square feet with new classrooms and lab areas, and paint and cosmetic updates for existing offices
- A second microbiology classroom on the second floor that will double current capacity
- New data cables throughout the entire building and audio/visual upgrades in new areas
- Upgrades to all student and staff restrooms with water-conserving, low-flow fixtures
- Energy efficient replacements for two rooftop HVAC units and an exhaust fan
Cordoba Corporation manages all LBCC Measure E projects, while Architects MSP and T.B. Penick & Sons Inc. are the project architect and general contractor.