Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 164--

Rain collects on the West side of MSC, except this time it's not in a pile of dirt. This time, the water has something to trickle down upon, a concrete structure with transparent glass walls. Soil also collects the rain, supporting the newly-planted trees and shrubs that surround it. New life has begun.

Trees and plants surround the new West building

As the seasons continue to change, so does MSC's campus. The plants and completion of the West building's structure give a breath of fresh air to our campus which has been under construction (and dust) since June. These changes are amounting to the start of the revitalization of MSC's future.

Yes, we're getting there.

If you haven't noticed or yet had the opportunity to check out the West building, I suggest you do. Chances are it will appear different since the last time you saw it. With the structure of the West building complete, construction crews are now working inside the building on the overall layout. As they install the drywall and electric work, you can envision students and faculty roaming the halls admiring their new building with pride.

The West building should be complete by March 2012. But until then, here are all your MSC updates:

-West parking lot now officially open to everyone (use 12th Street)

-New restrooms on the South side of campus (includes a family/disability restroom)

-Plants and trees planted along walkways and around West building

-Glass walls installed on West building

-Practical nursing classroom near completion
-Former Accounting/Computer Foundations classroom beginning reconstruction

 

South campus's new restrooms

Training Program Classrooms Completed:

-Accounting

-Construction Trades 

-Computer Support
-Computer Foundations

 

Not only is MSC going green by using sustainable materials to build the West building, but we are also on the verge of adding new programs.Our new Green Builder programs will offer certificates in:

• Solar Photovoltaic Installer
• Solar Thermal Installer
• Alternative Wall System Installer
• Energy Auditor



West building



Coming Soon:

Most rooms inside the current building are being renovated or close to renovation. Once the West building is complete, many programs will move into it while the current building gets updated. 

As always check our blog for all construction updates regularly. For all news, contests, and photos regarding MSC and Maricopa Community Colleges follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 119--

Let's face it, it has been a long time since we last updated you on the progress of MSC's construction. But have no fear, updates are here.

Little by little, it seems that change surrounds MSC more and more each day. With the West building continuing to progress, the inside of the existing building gets new additions daily. The students and staff are excited to be a part of the new generation and future of MSC.

What's happening now?

There have been many updates since our last post, so here's a quick rundown of major completions:

-New carpet installed to many new rooms
-New open-windowed walls
-New cabinets and sinks in Nursing rooms
-Newly painted rooms with glass entrance frames surrounding door
-West building foundation/structure finished
-New flooring in Nursing room
-New sidewalks and divider curbs around West lot

As many people drive into MSC, they immediately notice the construction and how there are limited parking spaces available.

Good news. The brand-new West side parking lot is set to open around Oct. 28. Currently, construction crews are waiting to finish concrete work surrounding the parking lot so they can finish the final step - pouring asphalt. The addition of the new parking lot will relieve the cluster of cars that currently have to park along 13th Street, and for those of us who have to cram in the North lot.

Meanwhile, the foundation of the West building is nearly complete. The concrete walls are finished and crews are now working on the interior of the building. Electricians, plumbers, and construction workers fill the building daily to have it ready by its start date, in March.

What's next?

-General framework, plumbing, electric work, etc. to finish in the West building
-Installation of glass windows into finished rooms
-West parking lot will open by Oct. 28
-Construction Trades programs to move into their new room by Nov. 4
-Trees to be planted along walkways and parking lot by Nov. 4
-Start moving other programs into new rooms or temporary workplaces

Keep checking in for future updates on MSC, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all news regarding MSC. Have a great weekend!

Making Solid Changes: the countdown to big conversions at MSC

By Mia D. Parrett

--DAY FORTY-NINE--

What’s happening now?

Pouring our strong foundation

Now that all of the underground utilities have been placed and configured, such as the underground electricity and plumbing, some areas are beginning to have a more permanent base. The footing is currently being poured for the Construction Trades yard, as well as the Auto Body yard. The Administration section of the new building is finishing up with their floor pouring, and the underground utilities are completely done on the entire West side of the building. Within the coming months, the parking lots are expected to be poured next.

Framing the picture we call MSC

The progress is only continuing as underneath the construction, things are finalized and the Jokake construction team begins to move forward-or upward, rather. The new maintenance building’s exterior walls are currently in progress. On the original building, the walls are all framed, and the mechanical and electrical work will begin shortly. Next week, the dry walling for the original building’s new structure will begin. Soon, the crew will begin to place pipe hangers back into the ceiling that carry running water pipes for chillers and air conditioning. As soon as those are placed sometime this week, the actual pipes will arrive soon after.

What’s next?

The next area of maintenance and construction will happen along Buckeye Road in the following weeks. The Cafeteria, IKON Copy Center, Staff Lounge and Youthbuild will all be relocated by the end of October. Stay updated with this blog, and make sure you are informed about the latest construction information at MSC!

Making Solid Changes: the countdown to conversions at MSC

By Mia D. Parrett

--DAY TWENTY-SIX--

What’s happening now?

Above It All
If you’ve been on campus recently, you might notice that there’s something missing above you- the ceiling! For a few weeks now, the ceiling inside of our building has been stripped only revealing the building’s skeleton to look at, which includes pipes, wires and some insulation all hanging loosely. Why is this happening?
The ceiling has been removed from the halls of MSC in order to access all of the piping for the water systems and main electric lines. Since there will be new areas needing electricity, the main lines will have to be rewired to those areas. There is a new air conditioning system that will be circulating throughout the renovated building as well as the new building, so the air conditioning pipes will not be removed until the end of reconstruction in order to successfully reroute the new air conditioning system. Expected timeline? The ceiling is set to be back up and put together in approximately one year when the construction is nearly finished. The end result: a new enhanced air conditioning system, a new higher quality underground plumbing network, and a sturdy, modernized ceiling.
Underneath It All
Progress is being made in other areas as well, such as in the space where the IKON Copy Center used to be located. Currently the Jokake construction team is working to install the underground plumbing system that will run throughout the new rooms, as well as create the framing of the walls this week. The space will be used for potential new program areas.
It is scheduled that the cafeteria will be expecting the arrival of new underground plumbing, which will accompany the future Travel classroom.
Last but not least, in the West Parking lot, the foundation of the area that will be in the new building was poured last week, and construction is scheduled to start the underground plumbing there this week.
What’s next?
With the scheduled underground work in the coming weeks, the Jokake construction team will have their hands full. Phase one of construction which includes the ceiling, future construction trades and future travel classroom is in full swing and will continue through October. Stay tuned for the latest information on MSC’s construction progress!

Attend our Campus Public Tours!

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. we invite you to explore our campus with us on a guided tour. No appointments necessary!

Tours are a great way to learn about the Skill Center programs and to get an idea of what it's like to be an MSC student. You'll be able to meet with instructors and have all your questions personally answered. After the tour, our Student Services staff will help you begin the enrollment process if you're ready to start training for a new career.

If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please call us at 602-248-4301.

Making Solid Changes: the countdown to big conversions at MSC

By Mia D. Parrett

--DAY SIXTEEN--
MSC is Growing!
Due to the constantly evolving workforce, student population, and job skill requirements, MSC has decided to create a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility to accommodate the needs of students and instructors. In addition, renovations to the existing building will take place. Coming to the new building will be state-of-the-art green technology classrooms, expandable meeting space for our community partners and modern inspired design features to emphasize our style as a modern, technologically-savvy place where students will receive skills needed to succeed in the future.
The Groundbreaking
On June 22, 2011, the official Groundbreaking Ceremony was a jumpstart for the construction process to begin. The much celebrated occasion was alive with music from local radio stations, as well as the presence of a few esteemed members of the community who provided insight and knowledge as well, such as Sue Kater, Executive Director of Maricopa Skill Center and Dr. Giovannini, President of Gateway Community Colleges.
After a successful groundbreaking ceremony, MSC is well on its way towards a fresh new building and campus reconstruction. Stay tuned here for the latest on what’s happening as we count down the days of the remodel, and take one step closer each day towards seeing our new campus.
What’s happening now?
From July 2011 until October 2011, the first phase of renovation will take place in the areas of the Cafeteria, IKON, Staff Lounge, and YouthBuild. As of July 1, the West Parking Lot has been closed indefinitely.
Be aware of construction tape, cones and other signs of warning to make sure that you do not enter an area that is being worked on!
Due to the Cafeteria being closed, these local eateries in the neighborhood are giving ten percent discounts to students through July!
· Samurai Sam’s
· Blimpie
· Frullati Café and Bakery
Keep in touch!
This blog will be your connection to the renovations at MSC, and will keep you updated and informed every two weeks about the progress we’ve made. Thank you for your patience while we make the transition into a bigger, better and stronger community!