Breaking New Ground

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
Jan. 9, 2011

CONTACT:    Margo Aldrich 
Director, Community Development
Community College of Denver
303.851.5686 (cell)
303.556.2411 (office)
Margo.aldrich@ccd.edu

Community College of Denver Breaks New Ground

(Denver, CO.) On January 12, 2012, Community College of Denver (CCD) broke ground for the Student Learning and Engagement Building, an 87,000 square foot, four story structure that will become a Denver landmark on the corner of 7th St. and W. Colfax.  Located in the CCD neighborhood on the southwest side of the Auraria Campus, the building will be built on the current location of parking lot L (Linden), just west of 9th Street Historic Park.

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock to Speak at Dedication/Groundbreaking
This significant occasion was held under a tent on the corner of 7th St. and Curtis, in parking Lot H (Holly), and was marked with a series of dedications by CCD Interim President Cliff Richardson, Colorado Community College System (CCCS) President Nancy McCallin, OZ Architect Dave Schafer, CCD Student Government Association President Shannon Ausfahl, and special guest Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. The actual groundbreaking was across 7th St. on the future site of SLEB, in Lot L (Linden).

CCD Growth and Expansion, a Mission Focus
Supporting the emerging concept of neighborhoods for the institutions on the Auraria Campus, CCD currently has primary occupancy of four buildings: the South Classroom and the Technical Building, the original buildings on campus built in 1975; the Children’s College and the St. Francis Center. The addition of the new building is being met with great excitement and anticipation. The Student Learning and Engagement Building helps CCD meet its Mission and Values of providing excellence in the areas of teaching and learning and student learning and development.

Student Services and Classrooms
Supporting the CCD commitment to students, the Student Learning and Engagement Building will be home to Admissions and Registration, Financial Aid, the Testing Center, the cashier office, Academic Advising Center, and the First Generation Student Success program. With all these services in one convenient location, students will be able to take advantage of a “one stop shop,” making the process of enrolling in school and taking advantage of available programs easier on the students. The building will also provide space for much needed additional classrooms, 14 in all, a café, and a tutoring center.

Energy Efficient and Green
With a focus on energy efficiency, the Student Learning and Engagement Building will be a green, energy efficient building with the design taking advantage of daylighting, or natural light. In addition, incorporating features such as a green roof,  chilled beams, radiant floors, and other energy saving features will help make the building one of the most energy efficient buildings on the Auraria Campus. Excel Energy has already deemed the Student Learning and Engagement Building an energy efficient building, warranting a $100,000 energy rebate to Community College of Denver.

Student Support
In 2010, the concept for the Student Learning and Engagement Building was presented to the students, who were asked to vote on the building proposal.  They expressed their approval and the planning process started. Interim President of CCD Cliff Richardson said, “With the increase in enrollment over the last few years, the need for additional classroom space was critical. The student support in the form of increased fees was fundamental as we moved forward with the planning of the new building.  We are excited to start and to complete this project and be able to provide our students with the best possible environment for learning.”

Funding Sources
The Student Learning and Engagement Building will be funded by a student approved fee increase and college reserves. Nancy McCallin, President of CCCS, said “Great care has been taken to design this building to be as economical as possible, with good stewardship of student dollars of paramount importance. We respect the commitment our students made to help fund the building and we will work diligently to preserve and honor their trust.”

Design and Construction
The Student Learning and Engagement Building was designed by OZ Architects of Denver and Boora Architects of Portland, Oregon.  Construction will be performed and supervised by G. H. Phipps Construction Companies of Denver. Completion of the building will take approximately 15 months, just in time for summer session 2013.

Community College of Denver (CCD) is a leading point of entry to higher education for the City and County of Denver. CCD provides a cost effective college education, along with access and opportunity for nontraditional students, workforce development and training resources for local organizations, and community partnerships. For more information, visit www.CCD.edu Information on occupations, rates for completion and placement, program costs and median loan debt can be found at www.ccd.edu/gainfulemployment.