CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UPDATE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will we see the first new building?

Groundbreaking for the first new building paid for through bond money is expected to occur in late 2006 for an agriculture/landscaping instruction complex and maintenance facility on the north side of the Lancaster campus. The facilities should be open for use in 2008.

Construction of the agriculture and maintenance project will clear the way for one of the college’s most anticipated new buildings, a three-story health and science building to create much-needed lab space and enable the college to expand its highly successful associate degree nursing (RN) program. The health and science building project, which will rely on state matching funds, is due to begin construction in 2008.

In the mean time, several other projects are slated including a new parking lot (2006), Student Center remodel (2007), physical education fields (2007), safety, infrastructure and federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) upgrades (2007-08), and theater arts facility (2010).

How are building priorities determined?

Antelope Valley College’s Educational Master Plan – the college’s long-range plan for its educational programs – is the guiding force behind the college’s facilities plans.

Representatives of the college community using input from students and community members have tried to anticipate the demands within the college’s many programs. The Educational Master Plan led to the creation of a Facilities Master Plan.

The Facilities Master Plan provides an outline of the classrooms, labs and other facilities needed to support the educational programs. From there, college representatives have developed a five-year construction plan that contains a priority listing of projects.

A number of factors help determine these building priorities including safety, space utilization and the ability to secure state matching money.

How can we be sure bond money is used wisely?

College officials are committed to making the best use of taxpayers’ money.

By law, the college was required to establish a seven-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee. AVC’s panel has 18 members, including representatives of the business community, taxpayers’ organization, senior citizens’ organization, city and county government and students. No college employees are allowed to serve on the panel.

The Citizens’ Oversight Committee will review annual audits of bond spending and report to the community.

In addition, the college has restructured to keep project oversight in-house, thereby reducing excessive costs associated with contracted project management.

How do the bonds work?

Voters have authorized the college district to sell up to $139 million in bonds over the next several years. The first series of bonds was sold to private investors in 2005, with the district receiving $30 million to fund construction projects.

The principal and interest on the bonds is paid for through property taxes, with the cost to taxpayers estimated at a maximum of $19.50 per $100,000 assessed annual valuation.

Please contact Director of Facilities Planning and Campus Development, Doug Jensen, at (661) 722-6470 or djensen@avc.edu for more information.

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