Major construction to get underway at RCCC | Schools

SALISBURY - Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will undergo major renovations over the next few years.

Rowan County citizens voted in 2010 to provide the college $12 million for much needed renovations and expansion of the North Campus as part of the RCCC bond referendum.

“Our students were very passionate about this $12 million bond, and took it upon themselves advocate on behalf of the college to their families, friends and neighbors,” said Carl M. Short, chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Board of Trustees. “Their efforts were so impressive that the North Carolina Community College System awarded them the Top ‘C’ award for excellent student leadership and involvement.”

The proposed renovation and construction projects include a new and improved Fire and Emergency Services Training Facility, and a 30,000 square foot addition, with 18 new classrooms, to the allied health building. The college is also transforming an administrative building into instructional use, as well as increasing the accessibility of North Campus to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. In order to meet the growing needs of the college, the $12 million approved by the voters will be augmented with additional funds as shown in the table below:

 

 

No.

Funding Source

Amount

1.

Rowan County Bond

$12,000,000

2.

U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant

$2,000,000

3.

2011 State Equipment Fund Re-allocation

$1,300,000

4.

Anticipated 2012 State Equipment Funds Re-allocation 

$275,000*

 

Total

$15,575,000

Estimated total equipment needs are $725,000. The college will seek alternate private funding to secure the difference.

The college plans to break ground on the Fire and Emergency Services Training Facility in January 2013 with completion in summer of 2013.

By the end of 2013, the college expects to complete the following construction and renovation projects:

• South Campus, Building 1000, OneStop (Student Services renovation funded by Cabarrus County)
• North Campus, Brownell Building renovations
• North Campus, Building 300 (old administration building) conversion to instructional space
• South Campus, Building 3000, Student Center improvements

The college must stagger its renovations to minimize disruption to classes. Consequently, the addition and renovations to the college’s allied health building will not be complete until 2014. 

Moseley Architects received the design contract for the Fire and Emergency Services Training Facility and MBAJ Architecture is designing the North Campus expansion and ADA projects. Contractors have not yet been selected for either project. The Fire and Emergency Services Facility is expected to go out for bid this fall, and the North Campus Additions & Renovations in late spring 2013.

“The community college system in North Carolina is funded in a unique way. Ninety percent of Rowan-Cabarrus funding comes from the state and is used to cover the college’s instructional and operational expenses,” said Short. “The local counties are responsible for the buildings and facilities of the community college. For Rowan-Cabarrus, both Rowan and Cabarrus Counties contribute about four percent each annually.”

The remaining 2 percent of the college’s budget is made up of federal and local grants the college has been awarded.

For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222).