2009 Master Plan Update - Cecil College

ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS, P.C.

April 2009

2009 Master Plan Update



Introduction As with every community college, institutionalpriorities must be adjusted over time to react to theneeds of the community, region, and changingmarket conditions. This ability to reassess andrealign academic programs is one of the greatadvantages of community colleges. As strategicinitiatives, economic realities, and academicprograms change, the amount and type of space acollege requires to address these changes must alsobe adjusted.

This is the second update to the Cecil College 2006Campus Master Plan; the first one was completed in2008. The update process involved reconvening theoriginal Master Plan Steering Committee made up ofthe College President, Vice Presidents, the FacilitiesDirector, Capital Projects Manager, and outsideconsultants. As before, the update process was leadby Tenée Casaccio of JMZ Architects and Planners,P.C., the firm that originally prepared the CampusMaster Plan.

A meeting was convened on February 12, 2009 atthe College to revisit previous master plan strategiesand to reorient JMZ to the current conditions at thecampus. Representatives from the designconsultants for the Physical Education & Activities(PE&A) Building Addition and Renovation project(Marshall Craft Architects and Derck & EdsonAssociates, landscape architects) were also present.

Enrollment Cecil College is now the fastest growing communitycollege in Maryland. Since completion of the 2006Campus Master Plan, enrollment has increased by29%, as shown in the chart below and over 44% inthe past 5 years. The space needs presented in the 2006 CampusMaster Plan persist and, in many cases, haveincreased due to Cecil’s dramatic growth inenrollment. This growth, coupled with the fact thatattendance at community colleges historically tendsto accelerate during economic downturns when jobtraining and retraining is paramount, will certainlyexacerbate the physical space challenges that

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009*

1,048 1,109 1,167 1,230 1,3541,503

Total Credit FTE Enrollment * Projected 2009

Cecil College JMZ Architects and Planners, P.C. 1


already exist at the College. While planning fortoday’s enrollment is necessary, the College mustalso thoughtfully plan for new and expandingprograms to respond to the needs of tomorrow’sstudents. The nationwide emphasis on science, technology,engineering and math (STEM) has resulted insubstantial upticks in associated programenrollments at community colleges. Cecil is noexception. The College has been wise to invest inthe conversion of existing space, and to plan for theconstruction of new space to support STEMprograms. Strategic Plan The College’s 2005-2010 Strategic Plan will berevisited later this year and updated to reflect thefuture plans of the college. The discussions willlikely revolve around the challenges posed bysustained enrollment growth, as it is expected tocontinue for at least the next ten years due to theinflux of high tech industries related to the BaseRealignment and Closure impact and Science,Technology, Engineering (STEM) students from thepublic schools. Partnerships with 4-year institutionsalready exist and are expected to flourish in theyears ahead. Strategic emphasis will also be placed on academicprograms, campus operations, and capital projectsthat focus on sustainability. The State of Marylandnow mandates that all future new buildingconstruction be LEED certified Silver. The Collegeintends to lower its dependence on fossil fuelsthrough the installation of energy-efficient, “green”equipment, particularly as campus building systemsage and need to be replaced. Finding ways to utilize the campus for outdoorrecreation, both active and passive, will also be partof the College’s approach to a healthier, “green”existence. Similarly, pedestrian connections to thenew Campus Crossing development on the otherside of Route 272 will be encouraged as part of awellness initiative.




Deferred Maintenance Projects As reported in the February 2008 Master Plan Update, the College has made significant progress indecreasing the number of deferred maintenance projects. Many projects have been completed, at least inpart. The new Biology and Physics labs are up and running; new lighting has been installed in the Theater;stand-alone emergency generators have been installed on the North East Campus; the nature trails havebeen restored and wayfinding signage has been added; and the elevated concrete walkways have beenrepaired. The following tables list projects that have been completed or partially completed, and futureprojects waiting for funding.

Completed Projects

Approved ThroughFY 2009

Site/Campus InfrastructureRepair Nature Trails and Install Signage $11,345Repair Damaged Pavers $31,400Install Site Lighting $20,000Install Lightning Protection $74,300Install Correction Capacitors $6,800Install Generators $25,000Replace Hot Water Heaters $12,000Create Temporary Parking Area $15,000Arts & Sciences BuildingRepair Roof Awnings $6,800Repair Concrete Walkways $104,600Install Automatic Door Opener $5,000Replace AC System $315,000Install 2-Way Communication Device $1,500Repair Interior Passageway Finishes $18,000Science Lab Renovation (Biology & Physics) $165,100Community Cultural CenterReplace Library Carpet $28,000Replace Roof Coping $6,500Replace 17-Year Old HVAC System (Project partially complete) $22,000Rewire IT Distribution System $425,000Replace Theater Lighting; Replace Water Fountains; Improve Air Quality in Scene Shop; Safety Improvements

$166,880

Technology CenterInstall Energy Saving Solar Film $2,300Replace Hallway Flooring $40,000Elkton StationInstall Capacitor Banks $8,000Connect Heating System to Emergency Generator $25,000

$1,535,525



Future Projects Cost Est imateSite/Campus InfrastructureInstall Signage throughout the Campus $20,300Repair Damaged Pavers (remaining portion of project) $25,400Install Site Lighting $36,800Install Handicapped Door Openers $18,000Lighting System Retrofit Phase 2 $32,000Arts & Sciences BuildingInstall ADA-Compliant Signage $12,400Science Lab Renovation Phase 2 $420,000Analyze and Eliminate Air Pressure Imbalance; Install Fire Protection System

$105,400

Community Cultural CenterReplace Existing Roof $93,100Refurbish Library Finishes $440,100Install ADA-Compliant Signage $22,400Replace 17-Year Old HVAC System $573,000Rewire IT Distribution System $425,000Upgrade Theater Lighting System $45,000Replace Entry Doors $45,000Facilities BuildingRepair Electrical System $32,000Technology CenterExpand Fire Protection System $168,800

$2,514,700

2010 Funding Pending

$18,000$32,000

$420,000

$45,000$45,000


On-campus Capital Projects The addition and renovation of the PhysicalEducation Complex is well underway and is expectedto be complete by June 2010. The final design ofthe building and site are consistent with the overallconcepts established in the College’s 2006 MasterPlan. The Campus Concept Plan, included at theend of this report, has been updated to reflect thenew addition and related site work. Funding for furnishings and equipment has beenincluded in the State and County budget, thusallowing the College to bring this exciting $21.8Mproject to a successful completion. Off-campus Capital Projects Development at the Bainbridge site has slowed dueto the economy and numerous infrastructure issuesthat will take some time to resolve. There is nodefinitive date for the initiation of work on theBainbridge Development; therefore, the College hasdelayed its development of the Bainbridge Campusin Port Deposit. Since the benefits of a Campus at Bainbridge arestill valid, the site should remain as part of theCollege’s long-range plan. However, due to currentand projected enrollment pressure, the Collegeneeds to construct the additional academic space atits North East campus. Shifting Priorities It has become necessary to expand the College’sphysical space for math, science and engineering onthe North East Campus in response to current andfuture enrollment growth. Therefore, the nextacademic building is now proposed adjacent orconnected to the Library Wing to accommodate anew Engineering & Math Building. The College recently renovated a portion of thefourth floor of the Arts & Sciences (A&S) Building tocreate a new 24-station Biology Lab. This is the firststep in a series of renovations that will eventuallyestablish the A&S Building as the College’s ScienceCenter for Biology and Chemistry.




Proposed Fourth Floor The above plan shows the College’s vision forconversion of the balance of the fourth floor forChemistry, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology Labs.These renovations will displace general classroomsand some faculty offices. The Math Tutoring andTesting Center currently located on the fourth floorwill be moved to the new Engineering & MathBuilding.

Arts & Sciences Building


The Physics Lab in the Arts and Sciences Buildingand Technology Center will be relocated to theproposed Engineering & Math Center. The spacethey vacate will be used as Interdisciplinary ClassLabs to serve the College’s growing Health CareProfessions programs. Cecil College, like many of its peers, is enrollingmore full-time, first time students than ever before.With growing numbers of these traditional studentscomes a demand for student-focused spaces such aslounges, a bookstore, and food service venues.Again, Cecil is prepared to respond. The Bookstore on the lower level of the TechnologyCenter is proposed to be relocated across Route272 to the new “College Crossing” under a leasearrangement between the developer and theCollege. Cecil’s dramatic growth in enrollment hasput great pressure on existing facilities on the NorthEast Campus beyond what the College envisionedeven five years ago, particularly for instructionalspace. As a result, the College is consolidating itsacademic programs into the campus core forefficiency and better student access. In addition tothe minor renovation projects underway to createnew academic space for science programs, theCollege is looking for other options to increaseinstructional space in the core of campus. As aresult, the College is taking advantage of theeconomic downturn to relocate some of its auxiliaryservices and grant funded programs off-site toprovide more room on campus for academicprograms. The College Crossing development will also includeprivately owned child care facilities, so the Day CareCenter shown on the 2006 Master Plan ConceptPlan will no longer be necessary. As these and otheropportunities for space consolidation occur, theCollege will update its plans accordingly.



New Engineering & Math Building The proposed new academic building connected tothe Library Wing will be used for instruction focusingon engineering, physics and math. It willaccommodate some of the functions displaced bythe creation of additional science labs in the Arts &Sciences Building and by the Health CareProfessions Program expansion in the TechnologyCenter. The result will be a new home forEngineering, Physics and Math, bringing identity andrecognition to these increasingly important andgrowing programs. The building will contain the following: Physics/Engineering Laboratories, sized to

accommodate 24 student stations each Math Labs, sized for 30 students each; 2 with

computer stations Instruction Storage Rooms connected to each

class lab Math Tutoring Center Testing Center Group Study Rooms, sized for 6-8 students per

room Engineering, Physics and Math faculty offices,

and administrative office suite , conference room for 16 people, work room and storage space



IT support space (data closets on each level; one office with an adjacent work/storage room)

Cyber Café for pre-prepared “grab and go” options; food storage or preparation space

Trash/Recycling area Commons/Student Lounge Future Bookstore, if the College Commons lease

arrangement changes

The overall building will be approximately 24,500gross square feet. The College is currently workingout the details of the space program. The design ofthe new Engineering & Math Building shouldconsider the future accommodation of the bookstorein terms of its need for visibility and potentialstructural requirements. This should be a relativelysimple conversion of space if it becomes necessaryin the future since there will be no need for aloading dock or other special construction.

The final design should incorporate: A welcoming and attractive façade that is

immediately recognizable as a main entrance to the College. Given its location on the primary visual axis for people entering the campus, the design should project a transparent, modern feel using a glass and aluminum window system. This “high tech” appearance will reflect the functions within the building and will allow the addition to serve as a lantern or beacon at night. Furthermore, since none of the math and engineering labs require fume hoods, the roofscape should be relatively clean and free of unsightly equipment.

An elevator and code-required stairs that provide a dual function – access within the building and safe, indoor pedestrian access from the upper portion of the site to the lower quadrangle. A light-filled, multistory space could enhance both the student and visitor experience of arriving on campus and provide access to the buildings on the lower quad that are now served by a relatively long, uncovered exterior stair.

Flexible class labs with full distance learning capabilities and appropriate teaching tools. Instructional technology equipment and furnishings should allow for different room layouts to respond to changing teaching pedagogies and learning styles.



Good visibility of Group Study Rooms (for security reasons), along with appropriate technology and visual display boards.

Card swipe door hardware to protect rooms with high tech or expensive equipment.

Sustainability. The College will seek to construct the new facility to LEED Silver standards and explore opportunities to incorporate sustainable design features that provide lower energy consumption and improved indoor environmental quality.

Durable and attractive finishes in the Commons/Student Lounge area. The use of these materials will need to be balanced with acoustic concerns.

Efficient and cost effective connection to the Library Wing. It makes enormous good sense to connect this student-focused addition to the Library, bringing more prominence and easier access to this central college function. It is likely that a small amount of existing space in the Library Wing will need to be renovated to accommodate this connection.

Revised Concept Plan The revised Concept Plan, updated by Derck &Edson Associates, reflects several notable changes.

The College granted a 3.27-acre offsite recreation easement to the adjacent Cecil Technical High School for future athletic fields. A 2.16-acre stormwater management easement was also granted, along with minor grading, public utility, and drainage easements associated with the school’s proposed two-story building. All easements are now shown on the College’s Concept Plan. easements are now shown on the College’s Concept Plan.

Future sharing of outdoor space and co-development of more robust recreational opportunities could result from the “good neighbor” relationship that has been established between the College and the high school. This would complement the College’s emerging strategic focus on health, wellness and sustainability.

Future sharing of outdoor space and co-development of more robust recreational opportunities could result from the “good neighbor” relationship that has been established between the College and the high school. This would complement the College’s emerging strategic focus on health, wellness and sustainability.

Traffic concerns associated with the proposed high school have been raised but have not yet been resolved. The timeline for the project is uncertain.

Traffic concerns associated with the proposed high school have been raised but have not yet been resolved. The timeline for the project is uncertain.



The Cedar House located in the northern portion of the College’s property was retained and recently renovated for use by the Cecil College Foundation. This investment should not impact future master plan initiatives; it is simply shown on the site plan for accuracy.

The proposed Facilities Management and Receiving Building has been repositioned to make way for the possible presence of a building and associated parking for the North East Fire Company and County Emergency Management Services. Berms and landscape screening should be considered in this area of the campus.

The proposed Day Care Center has been removed from the site plan, as one is under construction across the highway.

Lastly, the new Physical Education Complex and associated site work are now shown.

The proposed site plan is shown on the followingpage.




Proposed Site Plan



Future Capital Projects The Cecil College Campus Master Plan alsoincludes future development opportunities that willbe influenced by the rate of the College’s enrollmentgrowth, expansion of academic programs, potentialpartnerships with other institutions of highereducation, and the availability of funding. Theseprojects currently include: education, and the availability of funding. Theseprojects currently include: 1. Student Center & Campus Development: This

project has three related components: a “one-stop” Student Services Center; demolition and reconstruction of the Maintenance Building; and site work for an alternate entrance to the North East Campus.

1. Student Center & Campus Development: This project has three related components: a “one-stop” Student Services Center; demolition and reconstruction of the Maintenance Building; and site work for an alternate entrance to the North East Campus.

2. Conference Center and University (partner) Facility: This project is a stand-alone conference center connected to an academic facility of a major university partner. The conference center will replace current facilities that are located in the core of the academic campus and place these services in a more accessible and convenient location. Cecil envisions the presence of a university owned facility on its campus that will offer complimentary upper division programs leading to baccalaureate degrees.

2. Conference Center and University (partner) Facility: This project is a stand-alone conference center connected to an academic facility of a major university partner. The conference center will replace current facilities that are located in the core of the academic campus and place these services in a more accessible and convenient location. Cecil envisions the presence of a university owned facility on its campus that will offer complimentary upper division programs leading to baccalaureate degrees.

3. Renovations, as noted in the 2006 Campus

Master Plan, of the Arts & Sciences building, Technology Center, and the Community Cultural Center, including a new Learning Commons.

3. Renovations, as noted in the 2006 Campus Master Plan, of the Arts & Sciences building, Technology Center, and the Community Cultural Center, including a new Learning Commons.

4. Student Housing: A student residential

community could be located north of the core campus buildings to provide housing for the College’s growing enrollment, especially international students. The concept includes informal recreational areas and ample parking.

4. Student Housing: A student residential community could be located north of the core campus buildings to provide housing for the College’s growing enrollment, especially international students. The concept includes informal recreational areas and ample parking.

2009 Master Plan Update - Cecil College

Documents

Transcript of 2009 Master Plan Update - Cecil College