Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 344--

Bob Dylan once said, "Times, they are a-changin'." 

As we approach June, we near the one-year mark since we first began construction and my, how things really have changed. 
 

Front of Building A

I won't waste your time, nothing has changed in Building B. However, the same cannot be said about the old building, unofficially titled Building A (don't get the two mixed up). As a reminder Building A is the original building on the east side of campus. Building B is the brand new building on the west side. 

The Current - A.K.A. Building A

The first thing you'll notice while driving by is how similar the Building A resembles Building B. Both buildings are concrete with symmetrical windows and are relatively the same shape. The building's outside appearance has dramatically improved. From Buckeye, you can see that all the walls are up and the windows are near ready for installation. But the interior of Building A is even more impressive. All the drywall is up while Jokake Construction crews are installing insulation, flooring, and paint. They will continue to work on the structure of the classrooms and follow up with electric work and the finishing of ventilation. 

Fresh paint in Building A gives life to the new hallway

Light shines through a new classroom in Building A

New cosmetology stations

Program Updates

Meat Cutting: Finally, after nearly a year of construction the last program moved out of their space in preparation for construction. However, this renovation period comes at a cost. Since there is no swing space for meat cutting to move to, they are forced to temporarily shut down their program until construction is complete. Because the program requires a cold environment and special equipment, there was no opportunity to continue somewhere else on campus. Completion of the new meat cutting department should be completed by August. 

R.I.P. old meat cutting classroom

Let's Get Creative

I'm just as tired of hearing the name Building A and Building B as you are. Where's the creativity? Couldn't we come up with a better name? Well yes, we are, and we want your help. Give us your best ideas on naming the buildings by posting on our Facebook wall! We will consider all ideas. Remember, this is your campus, you pay for your education, you should have a say.

For all news, contests, photos on MSC and Maricopa Community Colleges follow us on 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 and stay hydrated! 

Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 323--

"The road to success is always under construction." - Lily Tomlin.

A look at east and west sides of the new building.

Tomlin shares the same goals as MSC, as we continue to work toward success and development. Over the past month there have not been too many visible construction changes to either building, but MSC still has its fair share of updates on our road to success.

The Current

Remember when you were in class and had to go to the bathroom really bad? Remember dreading that long walk/sprint to the other side of campus because there is only one bathroom in each building? 

Well, that pain is over. MSC has opened its newest restroom in the middle of Building A, next to Meat Cutting. We will no longer have to feel like a racehorse, Seabiscuiting our way down the hallways. We figured this should make life a little nicer, and I'm sure your bladder will appreciate the good news also. 

New bathrooms

In addition to our glorified new restroom, there have been other updates as well. Our giant vacant opening on the north side of the building is beginning to close. Brick by brick, half of the front entrance of Building A progresses. Inside, Jokake Construction is still in the process of installing metal framing, drywall, electric work, ventilation, and insulation. Heading to the south side of Building A, two programs have moved - Cosmetology/Aesthetican and Auto Body.

Building B(eautiful)

The only update in Building B is the installation of shading. The steel framing that surrounds the building allows the sun to shine right through. Jokake Construction crews are now installing metal panels underneath to barricade sunshine. Since summer is knocking on the door, staying cool is crucial, and these panels will provide plenty of shade.

Before and after the shading panels

For all news, contests, 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 295--

Yes. We are still open. 

Don't be deceived by the apocalyptic view you get from your car window as you drive down Buckeye Road. As you stroll pass MSC, you'll notice that the front of the old building is, well...missing. Let's be real, it looks like the campus has been destroyed and it could possibly pass as the starting scene for the next season of The Walking Dead (an apocalyptic zombie show), not to scare you away.

But don't let that stop you from coming in! We are still the same people and are willing to help you succeed. This is just a part of our expansion and reconstruction phase. Jokake Construction will have all the walls finished by our next post to begin work on the interior.

View of old building from Buckeye Rd.

The Current

The reconstruction of the old building is the last major demolition crews have to make before the reopening. Since the old building is the current focus of construction, there are no new updates for Building B, besides the addition of new tables (inside and outside) and landscape gravel.

New tables inside the temporary cafeteria

New exterior tables sit under the sun

As most of you have probably noticed, crews have closed the entrance from the north of the old building. Walls have become barriers until the construction is finished on the North-end. On the South-end, Welding is only weeks away from moving into their new, permanent space. The only other major move was Cosmetology and Aesthetician to their temporary spaces near Meat Cutting.

View from parking lot

For all news, contests, 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.

Making Solid Changes: Countdown to Conversions at MSC

By: Tony Grandlienard

--DAY 260--

I'll be brief here: the new building is amazing. 

Throughout the past month MSC has made many groundbreaking changes, the biggest being the official move into the new building. 

New red chairs surround wooden tables in the new building

Also titled "Building B," the new building houses various programs who have moved from the the old building. Wandering the halls you probably have noticed empty rooms and missing services. Well, they are all in the new building. Some programs are here permanently, while others are here until the summer, but for future reference, if you can't seem to find a program or staff service, head to the new building. And don't hesitate to ask someone for directions. The following have moved into Building B:

Department

• Admissions and Records
• Financial Aid
• Business Office
• Marketing and Recruitment
• Workforce Development
• Career Services
• Administration
• Human Resources

Programs

• Accounting
• Career Readiness
• Computer Foundations
• Customer Service
• Legal Administrative Assistant 

New Computer Foundations classroom

Getting Around Campus

Entrances to Building B can be found in the former student lounge through the wooden door. Note that there are no entrances from the north parking lot. To enter the new building, you must either come from the West parking lot on 12th St. (which is open to everyone) or you have to walk through the old building.

The building itself is very nice. Although it is not 100% complete, the majority of the construction has ocurred. Here are updates on Building B:

- New student lounge with new chairs

- Vending machines now located in Building B

- New red paint in halls and classrooms

- New cushioned benches in hallways

- New furniture in classrooms

- Overall new classrooms and bigger space for students

Newly cushioned benches align in hallway

The Current

Besides moving, updates have also occurred in the old building. The former Computer Support Specialist classroom is coming along as Jokake continues installing drywall and insulation.

Our Health Care program is the major change in the current building. Health Care is still moving into its new, permanent space, but most construction is complete. The facility is beautiful and a major upgrade from Health Care's former space. However, please remember we will not offer the Licensed Practical Nursing program once current students graduate.

New Health Care classroom

Health Care's new front desk

Learn More!

For all news, contests, photos on MSC and Maricopa Community Colleges, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 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 232--

It's almost time. Within the next few weeks, many staff departments will make their move to the West building.

Sun shines through the new steel beams

Although there aren't many major updates, there are still a few I'd like to share with you.

West Building Updates: 

-Drywall and insulation installed

-Ceilings finished 

-Fire alarms installed

-New fluorescent lighting installed throughout

-New gravel and rock installed around exterior landscape

New fluorescent lighting hangs from ceiling

Gravel surrounds new plants around West building

The Current

Over the next few weeks several departments in the current building will be moving into the next building. Here is a list of programs that will be moving:

 

-Administration

-BCTS (excluding Computer Support)

-Essential Skills

-IT

-Marketing

-Soft Skills

-Student Services

Besides the department moves, there have been minor changes to the current building. The first technology update includes computer support's new Sharp flat-screen TV. This TV aids the visual learning of students, as well as connects desktops to a larger screen. More TVs will accompany the campus upon the completion of construction. Other than that, no new visual updates as the renovations continue in former classrooms.

New TV overlooks Computer Support classroom

Hopefully, the next post we do will be posted from the new building, giving you more insights and updates than ever before. For all news, contests, 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 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.