Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC 

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 218--

Wow. That's all I can say after my latest visit to the West building and I'm very excited to share the updates with you.

It's amazing how fast the building has been constructed and how fast progress has occurred. Over the past two weeks, most of the visible changes have been in the West building.

Blue skies surround the West building

Transparency
Our new building is coming along. New orange paint gives a splash of life to the walls. Another thing you'll notice is that the West building revolves around transparency. A large portion of the building is made of glass, showing MSC provides students the ability to pass through our doors to achieve great skills. The interior of the new building follows the same theme as the outside, with all of the classrooms and offices being encompassed by giant glass walls. Also, like the current building's new bathroom, the bathrooms in the West building will be similar. Providing a contemporary look, the new bathrooms feature stainless steel stalls, new tile, white and red tile-colored walls, and new automatic sinks. 

West building's new bathrooms

Interior of West building glass corner

New orange walls

Paving the Path
Another great addition has been made to the outside of the building. A new walkway has been paved. The new walkway separates the current building from the West building. Upon completion it will be the central part of campus allowing students to finally be able to walk around their new campus on concrete instead of dirt. The path not only serves as a walkway for current students, but it's a new path to lead future students to MSC's new campus. The walkway also has trees, shrubs, and newly installed concrete benches. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, construction crews are making changes every day. Below is a recap of all major updates of the West building.

Newly paved pathway

West building updates:

-New steel overhangs around West building
-New paved center walkway
-New concrete benches along walkway
-New paint inside all classrooms
-New bulletin boards in some classrooms
-New drinking fountains
-New bathrooms in process of completion
-Glass walls installed in most classrooms and offices 
-Steel beams for drywall being installed

View of West building from new pathway

The Current
Current building updates have continued. Although there are no new visual updates in the current building, crews are working on the beginning phases of construction. This includes steel-framing the walls, installing ventilation, electrical work and more. I will provide any and all updates when they are close to completion.

New construction trades classroom in current building

Good News!
Another change will occur on our MSC blog. Starting today, we will update our blog every two weeks giving you consistent and constant construction updates. As always, for all news, contests, and photos on MSC and Maricopa Community Colleges follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. For more information visit us online at www.maricopaskillcenter.com or call 602.238.4300.


Thanks for reading, have a great day!

Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 202--

It's a new year with new opportunities. As we welcome in 2012, the year the West building opens, we await the official completion of MSC's anticipated campus expansion. With it being a new year, we also decided to change to a sleeker and cleaner look for our blog, which you've probably noticed. The new theme reflects the current changes going on around campus. The idea: as MSC improves its look, so does its blog. Enjoy.

Colors give life to new hallway in West building

Over the break, the West building received a face-lift. While we were enjoying the holidays, Jokake construction crews continued to work toward MSC's move-in date in March. They have come a long way since then. The pictures above and below tell the story.

West building updates:

-All walls installed

-Ventilation completed

-New ligthing

-New paint 

-New overhang outside the building

-New walkways/sidewalks prepare to be paved

-Electric and IT work still resuming

Crews prep for concrete pouring

While the West building has had many updates, the majority of construction over the past two months has been in the current building. Since the buildings are being constructed at different paces, we will now separate the blog into two portions. One for West building updates, the other for current building updates. This way you can differentiate the changes occurring on MSC's campus. 

Former computer classroom awaits future construction

Since early December, construction crews have demolished many old classrooms. Most notably, the former Computer Support Specialist, Welding, and Auto Body classrooms. Jackhammers and loud banging noises constantly fill the hallways, but we have to remind ourselves that the finished product will be well worth it. So thank you for your patience! 

Current building updates:

-Heavy construction has begun on Computer Support Specialist, Welding, and Auto Body classrooms

-New student/faculty conference classroom complete

-Completion of new offices for Program Managers

-Completion of new Nursing classrooms and facilities (Nursing program students now in their new classrooms)

-Auto Body and Welding programs move to temporary class locations near South parking lot

Mannequins act as patients in new nursing classroom

New conference room for students and staff

Coming Soon

Our next blog will feature the progression of construction in both the West and current building. We will let you know what programs have moved, and who's next to switch to a temporary location. Again, the West building should be move-in ready by March. 

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, Twitter, Google+. For more information visit our website at http://www.maricopaskillcenter.com/ or call 602.238.4300.

Have a great day.