Construction at De Anza College continues across campus despite slashed budgets and reduced course offerings. Funding for current projects was secured over the course of a decade through the passage of both Bond Measures C and E. The two measures were voted on and approved by the residents of Cupertino. Work on campus is scheduled for completion by 2013.

The projects currently underway include construction of the Mediated Learning Center located on the northwestern side of campus, renovation of the Cottage located next to the California History Center, and improvements to the roofs and windows of the Administration and E quad buildings.  Each of these projects are intended to improve the energy efficiency and seismic safety of the buildings.

Several large projects are scheduled to start later in the spring and summer to avoid student inconvenience during the busier fall and winter quarters.  

The “Combined Site Improvement Project,” which is scheduled for this summer, includes   renovation of the Sunken Garden, the installation of more Americans With Disabilities Act pathways, improved lighting along new and current pathways and the installation of new building entryways. The construction of a Photo-Voltaic system which will span parking lots A and B is also planned for this summer.

Construction on campus has been underway since early 2000. Buildings constructed using Measures C and  E funding include the Visual and Performing Arts Center,  the Student and Community Services Building and the Kirch Center.  Without the passage of these two bond measures, these buildings would not have been constructed.

Funding for these projects began with the passage of Measure E in 1999 and continued with the passage of Measure C in 2007.  Both measures were put up to vote and passed by the citizens of Cupertino. According to Associate Vice President of Educational Resources and College Operations Donna Jones-Dulin, “Measure C is a 15-year bond measure.  It includes construction, furniture, fixtures and equipment for technology. Measure E will finish this year, and includes the new ticket machines in the parking lots [among many other things].”

De Anza is required to put every project out to bid, so each one has a different general contractor. Gilbane, Inc., a construction management firm, has been working in tandem with MAAS Companies, Inc. to manage all contractors for each project.  

The projects underway at De Anza adhere to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is a green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.  USGBC’s website said this system provides standards for “energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.”

With regard to LEED, Jones-Dulin said “we try to make sure that we reduce our carbon footprint, our buildings are as efficient as possible, and that we are doing everything we can to contribute to the sustainability of the Earth.”

The Mediated Learning Center will contain next-generation seismic technology called Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames. BRBFs are used throughout Japan, and will replace concentrically braced frames which were the previous standard. They are attached to the steel frame of a building and designed to be removed and replaced after enduring the brunt of seismic forces during an earthquake. They allow the building to be repaired after an earthquake without the need for extensive demolition.

COMMON SCENERY – A common site around the new Mediated Learning Center, the building is set to open Fall Quarter 2012. (Mitchell Weinstock/LA VOZ WEEKLY)

WESTSIDE CONSTRUCTION – Workers work on part of a campus construction project near the Flint Center Parking Garage. (Mitchell Weinstock/LA VOZ WEEKLY)