Anticipation builds for new classrooms

By Wedieu Cole

Construction is well under way on a three-story, $11 million-plus academic structure in front of the science building and should be completed by early next year. Students could be using the new classrooms by June 2007.

This state-of-the-art facility is expected to provide vastly improved access, comfortable accommodations, a student lounge and other attractions. It is specifically designed to fill the need for more classroom space and facility offices. Total building square footage will be 47,858.

Originally, a new art building was envisioned, but over time that goal changed. “Once the design changed, the goal was to address the growing population of students and to meet the needs of today’s student,” said Anthony Bispo, capital projects manager in the Facilities and Grounds Department. "The ideal design is a 21st-century building with great access for our students. RVCC is growing, therefore were building."

Bispo is a 1997 graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Science & Mechanical Engineering and has been project manager for RVCC since November 2004. When former Executive Director of Facilities John Maso resigned, Bispo took charge of the building assignment.

This building isn’t Bispo's only major project. His responsibilities cover the new improved academic center, the loop road project (new parking lots), modifications of the bio-tech lab and the powerhouse upgrade.

During a recent interview, Bispo was professional yet excited as he described what the new academic building will offer.
The three floors of the building will encompass a total of eight classrooms and eight computer labs.

Each floor has various class space to address the student’s needs:

1. The first floor consists of four classrooms and two computer labs.

2. The second, or main, floor will have a lobby at the back of the building, one classroom, a multimedia room, video edit room, computer graphic room, three computer labs, a conference room, three offices and a help desk for student assistance.

3. The third floor will include three classrooms, three computer labs, and a student lounge that overlooks the main floor. RVCC students will find a new student lounge with the finest conveniences and comforts. The student lounge is a 770-square-foot space overlooking the main entrance, as well as the quad between the PE, theater and science buildings, as well as other parts of the academic building.

It will have a series of metal, curved walls clad to separate it from the main lobby area below. Its location on the uppermost floor, near vending machines and bathrooms, will give it prominence at the southwestern corner of the quad. The climate-controlled area will be furnished with couches and benches to relax, and also include computers to surf the web, vending machines for snacks and thirst-quenchers, and a variety of entertainments. “This lounge is a place so students can unwind between classes,” said Bispo.

RVCC will also address the need for office space at the site’s west side. This space will consist of an office on the main floor, plus nine offices and a work room on the upper floor.

For those students who have issues with the parking, especially those who time is spent in the science building, there’s no need for panic.

"After the completion of the building, parking will free up a little bit with the combination of the remodeled parking Lot 2 and the new loop road parking lots," Bispo articulated. Parking Lot 2 will be back but with modifications. Though the three bottom rows of the lot will be intact, some of parking the lot will be minimized to accommodate construction. The lot will consist of approximately 100 parking spots, 36 faculty/administration spots plus two handicapped spots in upper tiers, and 64 student and 15 handicap spot located in front of building.

From the lot, a stairwell will lead to the building, which will have four entrances. Also students will have the ability to walk or stand around the new exterior as walkways will be illuminated by large bright lights from the science building and the new building.