GCC’s expansion and renovation plans are expected to take the community 20 years into the future.

Retreats held during the summer gave administrators and faculty a chance to “draft” plans for the college’s growing enrollment from the community. Projects for both the main campus and GCC north are estimated at $84 million over the next 10 years. According to the Master Planning Update #2 prepared by Construction Liaison Chuck Jeffery, the main campus considered plans for the construction of “two multi-story buildings, 15 renovation projects, improved access and the addition of 500 parking spaces.” No master plans were developed for the GCC North campus but efforts are being made to present plans for the construction of four new buildings and 500 parking spaces at the cost of about $26.5 million.

DWL Architects + Planners, Inc prepared the 20-year vision, which is available in the John F. Prince Library. In it are plans for building on a vacant site, roads and parking, water conservation and modernized trends in landscape design. A potential 60,000 Square Foot building and the remodeling of the High Tech annex are a couple of the ideas that will be presented to a public forum scheduled for September 12, from 1-3 p.m. and September 16, from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Lounge. Jeffery’s commented that because this is only a “DRAFT” of what we imagine GCC becoming, students and members of the community are encouraged to voice their concerns and opinions.

This all ties in with the immense growth expected over the next 20 years. A 30% growth in Maricopa County would leave the District to accommodate the projected 8,600 to 11,180 Full Time Student Equivalents. Total estimated costs for new construction, technology support, and other special projects add up to a projected $950-965 million that the District will revise and review during the months of August and September. The Chancellor’s Executive Council (CEC), Capital Planning Budget Committee (CPAC), and Occupational Administrator’s will concurrently review the bond package to decide where the money is to be allocated between the colleges. A bond election is scheduled for November 2004 but there is no certainty that it will even go on the ballot.