A rendering shows the new student services building at Long Beach City College’s Pacific Coast Campus. The new $23.4-million, 31,698-square-foot facility will house the admissions and records offices, counseling, financial aid, Extended Opportunity Programs, Disabled Student Programs and Services, cashiering and food services.
Staff Writer
Long Beach City College (LBCC) has started construction on a $23.4-million, 31,698-square-foot Student Services building at its Pacific Coast Campus (PCC) at 11305 E. Pacific Coast Highway.
The existing structure will be demolished and replaced with the new facility, which will house the admissions and records offices, counseling, financial aid, Extended Opportunity Programs, Disabled Student Programs and Services, cashiering and food services.
“I can really see it becoming a new hub for the entire campus,” LBCC’s public relations director Camille Bolton said. “I can see it becoming a place students, faculty and staff will be able to gather for lunches, events and meetings.”
Construction is scheduled to be complete by spring of 2016 and will feature a new dining area, full-service kitchen, multi-purpose room and barbecue area in the building’s center courtyard.
“The new building will truly be a one-stop shop for the students to get all the resources they need to attend, thrive and graduate,” Bolton said.
During a groundbreaking ceremony on July 8, LBCC President Eloy Ortiz Oakley, Vice President Ann-Marie Gabel, Board of Trustees members Jeff Kellogg and Roberto Uranga, Maurice Lyles from Sen. Barbara Boxer’s office and Helene Ansel from U.S. Congressmember Alan Lowenthal’s office helped celebrate the honorary shovel dig.
(from left) Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley, Vice President of Administrative Services Ann-Marie Gabel, Board of Trustees President Jeff Kellogg, Long Beach Councilman (and former LBCC Board member) Roberto Uranga and incoming LBCC Board Member-Elect Dr. Ginny Baxter at the groundbreaking ceremony on July 8.
“The old building was worn down— trying to basically house a variety of departments and interests,” Bolton said. “It was no longer functional.”
The college is also in the middle of a $700-million construction bond program that was approved by local voters. There has been new construction at both campuses since 2006 thanks to Measure E, which allows schools to increase their debt for construction projects.
“Progress is always exciting,” Bolton said, “but I think students will become much more excited once they can actually smell something delicious from the new barbecue.”
