LCC moves ahead on bond projects after voter approval

Safety and security projects will take priority once the bond money starts to become available early next year.

And a half million dollars are headed to lane community college after voters approved a bond measure last night.

Kezi 9 news reporter chris lueneburg has a look at where those bond dollars will go , and when.

Former student mali garcia left lcc when a job came knocking.

"the only reason i didn't go back to lcc is because they weren't offering the program that i wanted."

But now that she wants to finish her degree-- she's turned elsewhere to find the right classes.

"so if they could expand their offerings that would be very helpful.

So i don't need to go to portland community college."

That's what lcc hopes to do with the newly approved taxpayer millions "wow.

Big responsability.

We better put our a game on and do it right."

Lcc president margaret hamilton says the voter approval was step one of a process that could last as long as a decade.

"with online classes during the pandemic-- there aren't too many students on campus.

Officials say the financial impact of coronavirus won't touch the scope of the bond projects" healthcare and manufacturing curricula are being created or augmented for up- to-date equipment-- courtesy of 77 million of the bond dollars-- a new draw for workers.

"stackable cridentials so they can learn the skill, go to work, and when they are ready for different skills, come back."

Also included in the 77 million-- a new health sciences building for their dental program.

Another 32.5 million-- safety and security upgrades... earthquake- proofing buildings, hvac systems- cybersecurity upgrades and cameras... lcc says these upgrades are taking priority.

"we'll go as fast as we can without totally disrupting students and staff."

Officials hope to access the first round of bond money at the beginning of next year.

Money garcia says is well deserved.

"it jumpstarted my career and prepared me."