February Update
There are many behind the scenes activities going on inside the LRC. In a couple of months, there will be many visible activities happening outside the LRC.
At the end of this month, the LRC will be essentially empty. That is no small feat. Volumes of books, furniture, workstations, shelving…all had to find new homes for the project to commence. Special thanks to Tom Vos, Jason Natte, Mark Fortuna, Jim Schultz, Pat Baldridge and many others for their work on emptying the building.
Abatement is the first behind-the-scenes work needed in certain interior areas of the project. In construction terms, abatement is the proper removal of hazardous materials (materials that would not be harmful if left untouched). A company that has credentials to remove and properly dispose of such materials is hired to do this, thus ensuring removal causes no harm to humans and the environment, and is in strict accordance with state requirements. The bid went out for this service and was awarded. Abatement is scheduled to start in April. Building interior demolition award has also been recently awarded
The bid for all the other contractors and subcontractors will go out for bid in the March/April/May time frame, the first being for the site demolition. Once bids are awarded, the awarded contractors and subcontractors need to be approved by the State of Michigan. Since this is a Capital Outlay project with the State of Michigan providing major funding, GRCC works collaboratively with the State, getting approvals at periodic milestones and for contracts awarded for the project.
Design work is ongoing and details are being finalized so that this aspect of the project will be approved and set to go out for bids when the time comes.
Weather permitting, one of the visible outside activities that will start in April, will be Consumers Energy taking down the overhead electrical lines and temporarily putting them underground. This is needed so Pioneer Construction will be able to safely set up the crane needed for work on the project.
Once demolition starts, the entire patio from the front doors of the LRC to the sidewalk will be torn up. Consumers will be back working on permanently putting electrical wires underground later in the summer. Ransom Street will be a busy place come spring and summer.
The first two pictures show a drone view of the LRC. Its footprint can be seen from the front and back. (It is the white building to the right of the parking ramp and behind the trees from the rear view). The scope of the project is huge, it is a big building.
Other pictures show the power lines that will be moved underground, the LRC patio and sidewalk entrances that will be demolished for the addition and the rendering of the welcoming green space and building accessibility that will be added.
Check back next month for more updates on the LRC Project!
February photos
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January update
Walking by the former Library and Learning Commons on Ransom, it might not look like much is happening. A big, dark, empty, lonely building without its usual hustle and bustle, no books, no occupants, just a few pieces of furniture and shelving remain, waiting to be moved.
Things aren’t always as they appear though…there are so many things happening behind the scenes!
Facilities has been busy finding different locations on campus to move furniture and has made numerous trips to the storage facility. A moving company has packed up the remaining books and moved them to a climate controlled area. The building is just about empty!
The GRCC Leadership and Facilities Team has submitted the design development package to the State of Michigan. Once approved, the next phase of the project will start.
The Purchasing Department has put out information for an early bid package for demolition. A walk through with interested vendors was held on Friday, January 17th.
Two of the pictures this month show the Steering Committee meeting with the design firm looking at interior finish selections. Flooring materials, color schemes, wood trim, and tile samples were available to see.
An open house was held on December 4th to share plans for the new LRC space. See the pictures of the Feedback Boards that were available for comments and suggestions. These comments and suggestions will be considered in future planning.
The building is waiting for the vibrant transformation to begin.
Check back next month for another update.
December Update
Infrastructure improvements are the basis for many renovations. These are not the “fun and exciting” parts, like designing the interior space so that the “atmosphere and feeling” of the building are evident or picking out furniture and the finishing touches . These improvements are generally behind walls, or are walls!
However, everyone can agree that it is expected that lights will turn on upon entering a room, water will flow when a faucet is turned on and that the room remains at a comfortable temperature. Infrastructure improvements are the necessary and important framework of a large scale project.
This project will include:
Updating electrical, plumbing, mechanical and HVAC systems
Replacing the roof
Addressing accessibility issues
Reconfiguring interior spaces
Improving energy efficiency
Adding 16,100 square feet to house additional student services
As in all GRCC projects, sustainability is important, reducing the carbon footprint in a building and using less energy is a priority. LEED certification may be pursued for this project. GRCC will also incorporate sustainability measures from other systems to meet GRCC goals, such as WELL Building, Zero Carbon, and biophilic design strategies
November Update
The LRC Steering Committee has been meeting with the Architect for the project, Progressive Companies, and the Construction Manager, Pioneer Construction to create a design concept for the building. In order to establish design principles for the project, the team talked with current department members and held workshops with students to determine the wants and needs for the building.
Some of the main concepts of the design are to create a space that gives all who enter a feeling of belonging and a sense of community. A welcoming space where students, faculty, staff and community feel connected, one that is inclusive and accessible for all. A place where students are able to access resources needed to persist, complete their education and be career ready.
Innovative, flexible and adaptive classrooms and learning spaces will support student learning in all modalities. These versatile spaces will support students’ use of a variety of devices to access course work, plus provide on campus study spaces for classes that are in an online or a hybrid format. Choices of independent, collaborative and group study rooms will be available.
Stakeholders in the future Learning Resource Center will include:
- Academic Support and Tutoring
- Academic Testing Services
- Counseling & Career Development
- Disability Support Services
- Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs
- Information & Media Technologies
- Library
This welcoming hub will offer students the ease of accessing and connecting with resources needed to support learning and success while at GRCC and beyond.
October Update
Grand Rapids Community College’s Library and Learning Commons is getting ready for a major renovation. The 61,268 square foot building that was built in 1972 is in the process of being vacated so the work can begin!
The services that were housed there have been relocated to temporary locations on campus:
- The Library and Learning Commons-5th floor of the Raleigh J. Finklestein (RJF)
- Media Technologies-Room 180 ATC
- Academic Support & Tutoring Service-Room 214 ATC
- Woodrick Center for Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs-Room 347 Student Center
The building will be transformed into a dynamic learning space that will include traditional and innovative library resources, student services, enhanced technology, individual study space and collaborative learning space. The new name, Learning Resource Center (LRC) encompasses all aspects of the services the building will provide.
This extensive renovation is made possible by Capital Outlay funding of $16.8 million from the State of Michigan. This will help cover just under half of the project’s $35 million price tag. Students, faculty, staff and the community will benefit from this funding for years to come.
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LRC Rendering
