Join us for an informational Open House on Tuesday, April 18, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Fireside Dining Room to learn more about each of the Capital Improvement Projects.
The open house will feature tabletop displays and detailed presentations by SMCCD planners including Vice Chancellor José Nuñez, Director of Capital Projects Chris Strugar-Fritsch, and Construction Campus Manager Glenn Claycomb. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.
A NEW HORIZON FOR SKYLINE COLLEGE
The next several years are bringing exciting changes to the Skyline College campus. A number of major capital improvements will ensure we continue to meet the ever-changing needs of our students, faculty and staff with state-of-the-art facilities while building our mission to empower and transform a global community of learners.
A new Environmental Science Building is designed to capitalize on Skyline College’s unique location overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a new Social Science and Creative Arts Building will establish an inviting gateway to an expanded central quad, and the expansion of campus parking will ease congestion and improve student access.
All of this will build a more collegiate sense of place. The campus gateway and expanded quad will invite us to build community and share experiences, and the new summit overlook will encourage us to look to the horizon and educate for the future.
Join us for an informational Open House on April 18, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Fireside Dining Room to learn more about each of these projects.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & CREATIVE ARTS COMPLEX
One of the biggest changes coming to the heart of campus will be the demolition of Building 1, an original legacy building that no longer has the capacity to meet students’ needs. In its place, a new Social Sciences and Creative Arts Complex will become the centerpiece of Skyline College. The building will include 115,000 square feet of music rooms, a ceramics facility, an art gallery, design studios, classrooms, and instructional and support spaces. The Social Sciences and Creative Arts Complex will also host first-rate performance spaces including a 520-seat performing arts theater, a 220-seat recital hall and a black box theater.
These will be cutting-edge facilities empowering students to better express themselves and their ideas. In keeping with Skyline College’s commitment to sustainability, the building will be designed for LEED Gold certification.
Demolition of the existing Building 1 will commence in summer 2018, with construction beginning in fall 2018. The facility is expected to open in fall 2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BUILDING
The spectacular Environmental Science Building will be the first building at Skyline College with a view of the Pacific, so it’s fitting that its academic focus will center on the sciences. The new building will house two 56-seat classroom/laboratories, two 119-seat tiered lecture halls, academic offices, a catering kitchen, lobby and a gallery/event space with commanding views of the ocean, all of which will create a shared locus for educational activity and community events. The lecture halls will be able to host private seminars when not scheduled for academic use, classrooms will double as event spaces, and the gallery with its expansive views of the sea and coastline will support community and enterprise functions as well as student art displays.
The building is targeted for LEED Gold certification, making it a pioneer in the college’s commitment to sustainability.
Construction on the Environmental Science Building and the rerouting of the campus loop road is scheduled to commence in summer 2017. The facility is expected to open in late 2018.
LOT L EXPANSION
In order to meet growing demand, Skyline College’s parking capacity will be greatly expanded with an addition to Lot L at the northeast end of the campus. The lot, which now has 110 paved and 200 dirt spaces, will be expanded to 500 paved spaces with traffic calming measures, improved lighting, charging stations and landscaping. The lot will contain a mix of student and staff/faculty parking spaces.
Construction on Lot L is scheduled to commence next month, in May 2017. The lot is expected to open in November 2017.
OFFICE RELOCATIONS & TRAFFIC CHANGES
While the students and community will greatly benefit from Skyline College’s enhanced facilities, the construction will necessitate changes in campus operations for several years. Students, faculty and staff will be kept up to date through Skyline Shines, emails and other means with the latest announcements of office relocations, lot and road closures and other events. Among the anticipated changes are:
- Office and classroom relocations: All departments and offices in Building 1 will be relocated in summer 2018. Most Building 1 departments and facilities will temporarily move to Pacific Heights (Building 19). Arts, music, and theater offices and classes will move to alternate facilities in the area. Gallery exhibitions and performances will be held at various locations in the region. Specific locations are being reviewed and will be announced.
- Lot L closure: In late May or early June 2017, Lot L will be closed to prepare for its expansion. Students, faculty and staff who use Lot L will need to find alternate parking on campus at Lots A and C. The College is also looking into measures such as off-site lots and increased use of shuttles.
- Road closures and re-routing: Campus roadways will be subject to occasional closures at times during the construction of the new facilities. Closures and detours will be announced and well-marked.
BUILDING CAPACITY & EXPANDING RESOURCES
These high-impact projects are about moving Skyline College forward and putting students first; meeting growing demands and maintaining our promise to students.
When it comes to getting students in, through and out of college on time, these capital improvements will provide the resources and state-of-the-art learning opportunities that students need to succeed and achieve their educational goals.
This is an exciting time for Skyline College, and the horizon is looking brighter than ever.
Article by Connor Fitzpatrick & Richard Rojo
