Learning Resource Center - Coming Summer 2026

The LRC is taking shape.  There are lots of exciting new things happening inside and out. 

On the inside, installation of steel wall framing now defines offices and other spaces.  Duct work, sprinkler piping, plumbing and electrical work continues in the building. Insulation of ductwork and piping for energy efficiency is ongoing.  First and second floor bathrooms are being roughed in.  Drywall is going up on the first floor!  So much progress in a month's time.

It is getting easier to look at the framed offices and other rooms and match them to the design on the blueprint!

On the outside, excavators, bulldozers and other earth moving equipment rerouted a steam line on the west side of the building.  This was a huge undertaking to say the least.  Now that excavation and abatement have taken place, everything is set to continue with structural steel installation for the addition.

Please check back in November for the latest updates!

Infrastructure is the word of the month for the LRC, along with “begin installation of” and “continued installation of.”  

When a building is gutted and is left an empty shell, building infrastructure is a long process with many pieces.  Think plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, ventilation, stud wall tracks, stud walls and framing to name a few.  There is a lot behind the nicely decorated walls and above the ceilings of a finished building!

Other inside happenings include toilet carriers being installed in 2nd floor bathrooms.  Ever wonder what supports the wall hung toilets all over campus?  Toilet carriers!  A toilet carrier is a structural frame that is behind the finished wall to support wall hung toilets. So yes, even toilets have infrastructure (besides plumbing) and this ensures they won’t fall off the wall (in case you ever wondered how they are held up).

Projects can have unexpected surprises.  September had a surprise!  The sanitary line needed to be replaced and a new one installed. The best-case scenario is to discover something like this early in a project and fix it so it doesn’t cause future issues.

Exterior work included pouring of concrete foundation walls, forming and reinforcement for additional footings and pouring canopy piers.  Several trees were transplanted and have new homes.  Excavation has started on the east side of the building, preparing the outdoor space for a future patio.

The word of the month for October will most likely be infrastructure and maybe for a few months after that, it takes time to get all the supports in place that make a building comfortable.  Please check back soon for more updates!

Construction is underway at the LRC!  

A noticeable change on the outside of the building is the removal of the concrete retaining walls that surrounded the front of the building.  Excavators and loaders were on site removing, leveling and smoothing the sand in the front of the building.

Infrastructure work is happening on the inside of the building.  Installation has begun on the ductwork vents. The plumbing crew hung the plumbing rollers, clevis and loop hangers on the second-floor ceiling to get ready for the hydronic pipe installation.  Metal studs have been delivered and the layout for the stud walls have been marked on the floors.  Crews poured the elevator pit walls after extensive preparation.  Now footings and piers are being installed for the west addition

Construction will continue for the next 14 months.  Stay in the know and make sure to follow along for monthly updates on this project.

On the surface, it appears the first part of July at the Learning Resource Center (LRC) has been quiet. However, behind the scenes there is a lot going on! Interior demolition wrapped up, remaining subcontractor bids closed and documentation was submitted to the State of Michigan for approval to move forward. The State approved the bid awards so now Pioneer Construction will begin contacting subcontractors and construction will begin in full force!

Until there are new and visible things happening on the construction end, let’s take a look at color choices and the departments/offices that will be housed on the south side of the first floor.

Interior color choices, do they matter? Yes! Color does matter and is thoughtfully and strategically used in designing interior spaces. The color scheme for the LRC will vary from area to area to create spaces with colors appropriate for the function of the space. 

Other renderings this month look at the departments that will be located on the south side of the first floor. The Experimental Classroom, Media Technologies and the Testing Center will be housed here with offices close by. These are off the main corridor that was showcased last month.

Watch for construction activity to begin soon and don’t forget to check back next month for another update!

June Update

Demolition continues in June and will wrap up by month's end.  Bid opportunities closed for construction subcontractors on June 5.  The next step is the vetting of the subcontractors’ bids and State approval.  Once these processes are completed, construction will get underway in late June or early July.

Now let’s take a peek at some renderings provided by Progressive Companies, the architect for the project.  These show the first-floor layout, the “Fluid Forms” design strategy and the color pallet.

Remaining renderings show the primary entry from Ransom Street and the back patio entrance off of Lyon.  Interior views of the corridor are shown from the primary entrance and from the back. There will be a variety of seating options for studying, collaborating or relaxing in this area.

The central stairs and elevator, circulation desk and flex classroom are all visible from the corridor.

Notice the many features of the biophilic design (used to bring nature into the interior of a building) when scrolling through the pictures. Plants, wood, daylight and nature inspired palettes are used. The “Fluid Forms” design is also evident with many soft edges and rounded corners throughout the corridor.

Please check back next month for another update and to see more renderings of the first floor!

It is hard to believe all the changes that can happen in such a short time.  May was a whirlwind of activity at the Learning Center (LRC).

The temporary underground placement of the power line in front of the LRC is complete.  Consumers Energy will test the power, make sure it is working properly and come back to remove the pole.  Once this is done, the site will be ready for the construction crane to be brought in.

Demolition activity this month includes removal of walls, bulkheads, stairs, duct work, fans, air handling units, sprinkler systems and the cutting of rebar.  The Mezzanine is no more!  Demolition will continue through mid-June. This month’s pictures show the demolition progress so far.

An onsite pre-bid meeting was held on May 19, giving interested subcontractors the opportunity to walk through the project to see what the construction work entails. The state approved the construction portion of the project and bids will be received for that work on June 5 (demo and abatement were previously bid and awarded).

Check back in next month for another progress update.

Ransom Street will be busy and bustling with activity this summer. Currently site demolition is taking place at the Library and Learning Commons. By the end of the month Consumers Energy will begin to take down power poles and power lines will temporarily be put underground. This work will protect Pioneer Construction’s workers as a crane will be set up for construction use. Dump trucks, loaders and excavators will be on site during demolition and then the activity will transition to construction trades personnel. 

Fast forward to this time next year. The renderings below, provided by Progressive Companies, the Architect for the project, show the transformation that will take place over the next 16 months. While it might not be as far along as the renderings at this time next year, it will be in the final stretch.

The renderings walk through the creative design thought process for the outside of the building and explain the meaning behind the designs (windows that look like books on a bookshelf, structures that resemble books ends and a welcoming front entrance).

This project is part of a capital outlay through the State of Michigan. GRCC has submitted reports to the State and anticipates State approvals for the project to go out for construction bids soon, which will be an exciting milestone.

While navigating the busyness of Ransom between Lyon and Fountain in the coming months, keep in mind the beautiful addition to the GRCC campus that will be here soon.

Check back next month for another update!

March has been a busy month for the LRC project.  While not much is visible to the passerby, important milestones are taking place behind the scenes.

Progressive Companies, the architecture firm designing the LRC, met with the GRCC skilled trades group to go over architectural and mechanical plans.  This collaboration and communication is important at this juncture of the project so that the team can give input, ask questions and have knowledge of the infrastructure going into the project.

The same is true for IT and Media Technologies.  Progressive reviewed technology plans with both departments to ensure readiness to connect once the project is complete.

Outdoor equipment and amenities have been moved.  The bike rack has been taken down and picnic tables have been moved to nearby locations on campus.

Quality Environmental will be on site to start abatement the week of March 31.  The following week demolition will begin.

The Facilities Team along with Progressive are providing documentation to the State of Michigan for approvals needed for next steps on the project.  This will be ongoing for the duration of the project.    

Bid opportunities are being prepared for construction work on the project and should be out on the GRCC Purchasing website in April or May.

Many visible changes will start to take place in April.  Check back next month for another 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!

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 17.

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 4 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.

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 

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.

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.