Construction of new apartment is well under way; College refuses to respond to emails requesting purpose and cost of project

Of the many Yavapai Community College  construction projects now underway on the Prescott side of Mingus Mountain, one of the smallest in terms of relative cost is the construction of an apartment in Building 34 on the Prescott Campus. Yet, details regarding the tiny project remain under a blanket of secrecy.

Copyright © Robert E. Oliphant

Email requests simply asking the purpose and cost of the new apartment sent to the Community College Public Relations department, which is charged with answering residents’ questions about the Community College, remain unanswered.  This is now a typical response from the PR boys as the College makes as much effort as possible to hide from residents and even the Governing Board members its operations.

An email request to the Facilities  Management Unit also went unanswered. This was despite a specific statement on the College website saying, “If you have questions about the items listed, please email me at david.laurence@yc.edu.”  The apartment construction was listed along with a photo.

Transparency is a fundamental principle that underpins the functioning of any democratic society, and tax-supported educational institutions like Yavapai Community College are no exception. Keeping secrets from the public is certain to encourage claims the College is neither accountability to Yavapai County taxpayers who support it nor can it be trusted. Only when Yavapai Community College decides to be transparent about its operations, finances, and decision-making processes, can it build any  trust within the County and allow the public to hold it accountable for it actions.

Project approved a year ago finally will start this summer; College is donating thousands of its library books and resources as it goes digital; will be called the “Center for Learning and Innovation”

Yavapai Community College is beginning another renovation of  building “M” on the Verde Campus in Clarkdale.  It was last renovated back in 2011-12.  Once the newest renovation is completed, which is estimated to be in August 2024, it will be called the “Center for Learning and Innovation.”

The project was apparently approved by the District Governing Board a year ago at the May 2022 budget meeting at a cost of more than $3 million.

According to the May 10, 2023, press release from the College, once completed, the library will be called the “Center for Learning and Innovation.” The College says it will feature modern digital technology used at many higher education institutions across the country. The intent is to “enhance the student experience with more content at the tip of their fingers.” It will also feature modern learning areas, study rooms, student learning support services, and resource departments similar to the College’s Learning Center.

The College is donating its current stacks of books and resources located at the Verde Valley Campus Library. In its press release, it said that “as of today, approximately 50% of these physical resources have found a new home with faculty, employees, Yavapai Library Network (YLN), and community members. The College has reached out to other charity and public organizations as well for donations. The older material that is not taken will be recycled and the rest put in storage as renovation for the Center for Learning and Innovation begins. Any organization or individual interested in picking up resources may do so at:  Yavapai College, Verde Valley Campus Library – Building M, 601 W. Black Hills Dr., Clarkdale, AZ 86324.”

You may read the complete press release from the Community College by clicking here.

College says it will turn it into a “Center for Learning & Innovation” to be used by students and community members

The Yavapai Community College Governing Board is poised to approve spending $15.3 million on renovating Building 19 on the Prescott Campus over three years beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.  It is anticipated that the approval will come at the budget meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 on the Prescott Campus.

The proposal for the $15.3 million project was floated to the Governing Board at both the March and April Board meetings. The Prescott based executives encountered no serious reservations or opposition to the expenditure.  There were only a handful of questions, if that. 

The College says that the renovation will turn the library into a hub for students and community members on the Prescott Campus.  Currently, the College says space is being underutilized and the library is dated.

Classrooms and laboratories on the 2nd floor are proposed to be re-purposed into a modern Learning Commons for tutoring and academic support with open collaboration areas, study rooms, and staff offices.  Construction will most likely include a digital media studio, TELS staff offices, and a technology helpdesk, managed by ITS.

PAC remodel includes new  HVAC units and technology allowing  Community College to tailor heating and cooling needs for every performance; several other projects on Prescott Campus and around the District continue

Performing Arts Center.

The extensive renovation on the  Performing Arts Center on the Prescott Campus is now complete.   After what the Community College describes as “extensive renovation,”  one of the last completed projects was adding   14 new HVAC units at a cost of several hundred thousand dollars.  New  Air Handler units were also  installed.   With improved  technology  and increased monitoring ability, these new units will help reduce overall energy consumption on  campus. By using the  Building Automation System, the Community College  will be able to tailor the heating and cooling needs so that the audience will be  comfortable for every performance.

Baseball Field Repair on Prescott Campus. The baseball field on the Prescott Campus was extensively damaged by flash flooding in the summer.  During September and October, grading, leveling, and sub-base preparation took place at the field. Along with site leveling, new sod was installed in October.  

New trail and two walking bridges being built on Prescott Campus.

A new trail is being constructed that will provide an access trail from Sheldon Street to the baseball field along the Prescott west campus boundary, behind the Performing Arts Center and Sculpture Garden. The scope of this work includes a nature trail with two bridges to span the creek that winds through the area. Staff will be spreading rock and decomposed granite on the new trail during the month of January.

The Community College reports that once completed, the project will open up this area for walking while improving visibility to help ensure safety and improve site drainage during flash flooding.

Expanding cafeteria at Career and Technical Education Center at the Prescott airport.

Work is projected to begin in the spring of 2022 at CTEC to increase space for more  seating in the dining area.

Prescott Valley Center has two marquees installed; work continues on access road; new LED lighting in place.

Construction of the deceleration lane off Glassford Hill Road (southbound) at the Prescott Valley Center is complete. Work continues with the Fain Signature Group to construct the shared access road, eventually connecting to the Prescott Valley Center parking lot. Both marquees are now installed and display  general information about Yavapai College and the Prescott Valley Center.

LED parking lot lighting has been installed. It is anticipated that one will see brighter lighting and a 40% reduction in energy consumption over the existing metal halide and high-pressure sodium lights.

Verde Valley Campus has renovation for new Brewing program.

Renovations of Building G, rooms 111 and 118 for the new Brewing program were completed. They included new stainless steel wall treatment and sinks for brewing.

New LED lighting being added to reduce costs by 80%,  Verde Valley Campus Art Gallery Pergola complete, CTE Verde Campus building construction continues, Building 16 Technical Theater going up

A number of construction projects in the Yavapai Community College District are completed or nearing completion.   On the Prescott Campus, the LED installation of outside lights is about complete.  It is anticipated that the new lights will reduce by  80% energy consumption after replacement of the existing metal halide and high-pressure sodium lights. The new lights will also be much brighter than the old.

The Pergola, which was added to the small Verde Valley Campus Art Gallery, has been completed.  Construction on the 10,000 square foot Career and Technical Education building continues with completion expected by the fall 2021.

Finally, construction of the Technical Theatre addition to the Performing Arts Center is on track. It is expected to be completed in time for the fall 2021 classes.

Photos taken by Community College and found in monthly Facilities Management Newsletter.