Preliminary grading, earth moving now underway

Construction has begun on the multi-use soccer field on the Prescott Campus.  Heavy grading equipment is being used to construct a 160’ x 230’ field.

All of the costs of the project, according to Yavapai College, are being paid by the Yavapai Community College Foundation. The field will be located to the north of Kachina Hall on the Prescott Campus.  (The Foundation is not reimbursing the College for any staff time associated with constructing the project.)

Goal is to have construction completed in next three months, if not sooner

Yavapai Community College is in the process of replacing the old, very small greenhouse that was removed as a part of summer construction.  It has also determined the new location for the new much larger replacement.

The new greenhouse is  18 by  48 feet.  It will be located between Buildings A and G on the Verde Campus.

Photo from June Facilities Management Newsletter.

Building on schedule for August opening achieving goal set by Dr. Rhine

Construction on Building “L” on the Verde Campus is nearing completion and will be ready by August.  This fulfills a promise made by Yavapai Community College President Lisa Rhine who months ago set fall 2020 as a deadline for renovation completion and reopening of the building.

The June 2020  Community College Facilities Management newsletter reported that lighting and acoustical tile are being installed throughout the building while painting and  drywall installation is complete. Data cabling is nearing completion as is  final floor polishing.

The exterior of Building “L”  is receiving texturing and painting while storefront glass is being installed in the new front entry. Concrete has been poured for new sidewalks and ramps and the landscaping has started. Facilities and ITS are  beginning to move  in  furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

Photos are from June 2020 Yavapai Community College Facilities Management Newsletter.

Pandemic has apparently not slowed efforts of  goal to get Building “L” ready by fall 2020

The April Yavapai Community College Facilities Management Newsletter reports that construction on Building “L” on the Verde Campus is moving ahead.  According to the report, a “ new roof is installed, and the building is very close to being completely dried in. Electrical transfer occurred during spring break, so the building is now tied into the campus with the new service. All structural steel for the new entrance is complete along with concrete and exterior walls. Painting of the exterior metal features is underway.”

The report goes on to say that “the interior of the building on the first floor, concrete polishing and staining is in process along with painting of walls and door jambs. Lighting is being installed throughout the first and second floors. On the second floor, drywall is nearing completion, and the walls are being prepped for paint.”

Source:  April 2020 Yavapai Community College Facilities Report.  All photos from report.

New 18’ x 48’ unit to be installed in three or four months

Yavapai Community College Facilities Management has reported in it’s April update that a location for a replacement greenhouse on the Verde Campus is under review.  The 18’ x 48’ unit is expected to be constructed on land between Buildings L and O (Southwest Wine Center) on the Verde Campus. Final construction is anticipated occurring in the next three or four months.

Source:  Yavapai Community College Facilities Management April newsletter (including above photo).

72-unit apartment to be developed by Hans E. Brutsche on land owned by County District 3 Supervisor Randy Garrison

The Verde Independent newspaper, in a story written by staff reporter Jason W. Brooks, has provided detailed information regarding the potential development of a 72-apartment complex on about five acres of land located between the Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus, Haskell Springs Road and Hidden Springs Lane. As many as 14 units of the complex may be set aside for use by Yavapai Community College students and staff.

The land is owned by Yavapai  County Supervisor Randy Garrison and the complex will be developed by Hans E. Brutsche.  Mr. Brutsche has been working with the the Clarkdale Community Development Director Ruth Mayday for “some time” on the project.

The plan is ready to be submitted to the  Clarkdale Design Review Board, which normally meets the first Wednesday of each month.  However,  all Clarkdale commission meetings are on hold during COVID-19 pandemic social distancing shutdown.

According to Mrs. Brooks story in the Verde Independent, “it’s unclear when things will move forward, but Brutsche’s plan, should it get approval from the Design Review Board, would then need site-plan review for conformances by town staff, and a Planning Commission hearing on a re-zoning request to move from R-1L, or single family residential-limited, to R-3.”  Then, it must be submitted to the Town Council for final approval.

The site plan includes open space in the center, along with a clubhouse, with apartment buildings around the perimeter. As many as 14 units may be used by Yavapai College students and/or staff, so direct trips out of the complex onto Black Hills Drive, would be minimized. The report estimates fewer than 100 trips in or out of the complex in a typical day.

Source:  Verde Independent, April 1, 2020, reporter Jason W. Brooks.  The sketch below was furnished to the Verde Indpendent by the developer.

Talks involved cooperation with developer and potential cost  of apartments for students

Vice President James Perey

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives James Perey briefly outlined to the Governing Board at its March meeting discussions Yavapai Community College has carried on with a developer of an apartment complex adjacent the Verde Campus.    

The discussions centered on students on Pell grants and a need for some of them to live on or near campus.  Currently, the availability of housing is limited for students.   There were also discussions about possible entryways to the apartment complex and potential sharing of other Community College assets.

Perey said the developer was moving ahead with plans and would be meeting the Clarkdale officials regarding the project.

Please view the short two-minute video below to gather the full context of Vice President’s Perey’s presentation to the Governing Board.

Board sees first step as possibly obtaining 5 acres adjacent the Center; then deciding how it should be used; report claims, “Market justification exists for development of a hotel adjacent to Yavapai College’s Sedona Center;” Some on Board skeptical

At its March meeting, the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board members were presented with a detailed study commissioned by the College to determine the efficacy of possibly purchasing land and locating a hotel on property adjacent the Sedona Center.  The Board appeared most interested in purchasing an additional five acres adjacent the Center.  If a purchase was made, the Board would then decide its best use.

The study claimed that “Market justification exists for development of a hotel adjacent to Yavapai College’s Sedona Center.”

Third District Representative Paul Chevalier appeared to strongly oppose a hotel (owned by a third party who leased land from the College) while urging the College to pursue a possible purchase of an additional five acres.  His vision was to use the land, if it could be purchased at a reasonable price,  to consider expanding the existing culinary school. 

It was clear that no one on the Board (or College executives) wanted the College to consider building and owning its own hotel. 

Following below is a copy of the key findings in the executive summary section of the extensive report provided by the research team.  The entire report can be found in the March Governing Board Agenda by clicking here.

There is also a video of the Board discussion about the hotel following the summary.

Key Findings

Existing Conditions

Student housing exists only on the Prescott campus. The current inventory caters to more traditional college aged students (18 – 21 years old) with semi-suite units (100% of inventory) and lacks unit type diversity typically attractive to older cohort populations.

Between fall 2015 – 2019 the College’s housing occupancy percentage has decreased from 97% to 93%; with an average annual occupancy rate of 94%.

The majority (78%) of YC students are enrolled part-time and have an average age of 31 years old.

Yavapai College has the highest room and board costs compared to its peer institutions; 43% greater than the average of its peer institutions. Yavapai College has 221 student housing beds; 33% less than its peer average.

Currently Yavapai College does not offer any on-campus faculty/staff housing.

Housing Market

Regional population growth and limited multi-family housing development has tightened the housing supply in the market and increased pressure on those desiring a residence near campus.

Since 2015 there has been a population increase of 5% around both the Prescott and Verde Valley areas. During the same 5-year period, multifamily housing development has increased 6% and 5%, respectively, and vacancy rates have decreased in both areas.

The total cost to live in an on-campus semi-suite is equal to the average survey reported off-campus housing cost ($1,110/month). It is a value proposition issue as students consider the value from the cost of on- campus semi-suite and meal plan compared to the available apartments and the independence they have living off-campus.

Hotel Demand

Market justification exists for development of a hotel adjacent to Yavapai College’s Sedona Center. (emphasis by Blog)

Tourists represent the target market as tourism is the primary industry in Sedona attracting over three million visitors annually and accounting for 77% of the city’s sales tax revenue.

Three primary sources of demand were found to exist for a hotel; Individual Business Travelers (IBT), Group and Convention, and Leisure.

Housing Demand

 Insufficient demand exists to build new standalone on-campus student housing or faculty/staff housing facilities

Although there is a net demand for 74 beds of student housing on the Prescott Campus and 56 beds on the Verde Valley Campus, P3 Developers typically require nearly 400 beds of new development for projects to be financially feasible and self-sustaining.

YAVAPAI COLLEGE  HOUSING & HOTEL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP  ANALYSIS

 The majority of student demand is from students who currently live with family/relatives, the group least likely to live in campus housing.

Although faculty and staff demand equals 25 units, P3 developers will require more scale to meet their required financial returns.

Faculty and staff indicate a lack of interest in on-campus rental housing despite survey tested rates being within range of renter’s current costs. On average renters reported total housing costs within 22% of survey tested rates. Faculty & staff focus on quality of life factors in their housing decisions, e.g. travel time to campus, but are still price conscious.

North side of campus, close to Building L

Yavapai Community College President Lisa Rhine’s monthly “highlights” newsletter noted the installation of a new book return was installed at the Verde Valley Campus.  You may read all of the Dr. Rhine’s Community College highlights for the month of March by clicking here. 

Following below is the note and photo copied from the President’s “Highlights” newsletter.