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.

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!