News Releases
News from Lane Community College
For release January 19, 2010
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS PLANNING AND DESIGN FIRMS APPROVED
EUGENE, OR - Lane Community College has approved a project manager and a design team to conduct a feasibility study for its proposed new campus at 10th and Charnelton in downtown Eugene.
The project management firm Gerding Edlen of Portland was hired in December and the design team of Robertson Sherwood Architects of Eugene and SRG Partnership of Portland, or RSA/SRG, was announced by President Mary Spilde at the college’s Board of Education meeting in January.
The downtown campus project will proceed in three phases: phase 1 feasibility report; phase 2 design and contract documents; and phase 3 construction and move-in.
The feasibility report will assemble a project budget, identify occupants, and prepare a concept-level design. It is due by the March 10 board meeting. If the board approves, the college then will begin the process to hire a construction design architect.
The initial budget estimate of $27 million will be updated after the feasibility study is completed. The college has $9 million from a voter-approved bond and $8 million in state capital construction funds. The gap must be met through federal stimulus funds, energy or new market tax credits, or other public and private resources. For example, President Obama’s American Graduation Initiative includes $2.5 billion for community college infrastructure and favors projects with local support and green focus, which this project has.
The proposed 80,000 square feet building will house programs at Lane’s existing Downtown Center at 11th and Willamette including continuing education and short-term training, and programs currently located at the Wildish Building at 14th and Willamette including business development and employee training, and senior programs. Some energy training programs on main campus will relocate to the new building. Other tenants and uses under discussion include city agencies or commercial ventures, or student housing.
The college board approved the 10th and Charnelton site in September as the best location to construct a signature building that meets college goals of learning and sustainability, and contributes to city redevelopment. The site is a vacant pit that formerly supported a Sears store. The envisioned building will be LEED platinum certified and serve as teaching tool for energy management programs.
Enrollment growth at Lane is robust as more people return to college to retrain for new careers, and as high school students seek quality, affordable access to higher education.
Recent surveys conducted by the city show strong support for a new campus at 10th and Charnelton. More information is online at www.eugene-or.gov/downtown
Lane is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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Media contacts:
Joan Aschim, PIO, aschimj@lanecc.edu (541) 463-5591
Dennis Carr, Chief Human Resource Officer, (541) 463-5585
