Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Maureen Mitchell Construction worker George Romero digs a trench to find existing utilities in preparation of new central loop trench outside of 900 building Thusday, Aug. 30.

With some renovations already completed at Chabot, more dust and debris is still to come.

Phase 1 of the Chabot Master Plan construction project is under way, marked by the completion of much needed reconstruction and repair work to the school's pool and deck this past June at a cost of $1.4 million.

That figure is dwarfed in comparison to the planned demolition and reconstruction of three major buildings later this year.
At an estimated cost of $18.7 million, the demolition and subsequent reconstruction of buildings: 400, 600 and 700 is sure to surpass any rehab work done to the school in recent years.

Plans for the project were drawn up by the architectural firm LPA, Inc., which boasts a strong resume with work at several CSU campuses in Southern California.

Building 400 which is currently designated as the Business Education Faculty Offices Building will be the first to feed the wrecking ball.

The new construction taking its place, which will utilize a sustainable design, (also known as green-design) will continue to house faculty offices.

Aside from just faculty use, the new two-story instructional office building will also house associated support space, which the school hopes will encourage interaction between students and faculty.

Though the school's aim of creating a visually appealing and technologically superior structure for the community and it's students is a great one, it's still seen with some hesitation.

When told of the planned construction and its possible effects on class schedules by one of her instructors, Chabot student Sofia Jesus had this to say "If it means that the construction might make some classes unavailable during the day, then I will just have to go to another school in the area."

With budget problems already affecting the school, any decline in enrollment would create a terrible strain on the institution.
Another Chabot student interviewed, Wendita Reddy, had some thoughts on the matter:

"My question is, why did they wait till now to get started? Why not start during the summer break so that less classes would be disrupted?"

Continued...

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