Archive for Construction – Page 8

PRESCOTT VALLEY CHARGES COLLEGE $89,341.05 IN FEES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION

By R. Oliphant
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017

Town remits ONLY $11,043.57; has urged College to build

Wow. The College is investing about $4 million in new construction on the Prescott Valley Center.  The town recently billed the College for $89,341.05 in fees. It remitted $11,043.57, which will help a little. Of interest is the fact that the Prescott Valley Town Council Mayor and others have appeared on several occasions before the Governing Board urging accelerated construction at the Center.  The College actually responded to those requests.  But it didn’t help much with local fees, did it?  

Categories : Construction, Prescott Valley Campus

COLLEGE SPENDING MILLIONS ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

Video provides snapshot of recent construction and renovation paid for by County property taxes

Few taxpayers in Yavapai County have any real idea about how their property taxes that are paid to the Community College are being used.  The fact is the College administration is spending millions of dollars of it on construction projects throughout the County.  It has taken from $6 million to $8 million every year and rather than put it into education programs, it has diverted it to construction projects.

By far the greatest spending is occurring on the West side of the County, especially on the Prescott Campus and at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC).

The following four-minute video provides a snapshot of some of the construction that has occurred or is occurring  solely  on the Prescott Campus. It is amazing.

 

 

 

 

Categories : Construction, Prescott Campus

MILLIONS SPENT ON PARKING LOTS

By R. Oliphant
Monday, February 6th, 2017

Video shows some of the YC Parking lot reconstruction/resurfacing in last two years on West side of County–your tax money at work

The following three-minute video shows some of the construction of new parking lots and repaved lots carried out by Yavapai College on the West side of the County in the last two years.  

A second video in production will show you actual construction of buildings, etc.  All the while, the headcount, the College reports losing about 6,000 credit students in the last ten years.

Categories : Chino Valley campus, Construction, CTEC, Prescott Campus, Prescott Valley Campus

COLLEGE CONTINUES BUILDING SPREE PLANS DESPITE DECLINING ENROLLMENT

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, November 3rd, 2016

Internal memo reveals commitment to new construction rather than new educational programs and improved faculty salaries

An internal Yavapai Community College memo dated October 27, 2016 provided to the Blog shows the College’s Administration continues to be wedded to construction.  It continues its building spree despite a continued decline in enrollment, which over a ten year period has fallen by 6,000 students in its credit courses. The College spends from $6 to $8 million a year on construction by using tax and tuition revenue it sees as no longer necessary for programs and salaries.

The memo states that “there are plans to build additional facilities such as a 300 seat lecture hall at Prescott, a multi-purpose field and event center at Prescott, a new classroom building in PV, . . . and a 3rd Residence Hall at a place to be determined.” The ten-year capital building plan puts the new residence hall on the Prescott Campus.

Gosh, wouldn’t it be terrific if the College invested this money in educational programs and increasing faculty salaries!

😥

Categories : Construction

MORE PARKING LOT RECONSTRUCTION

By R. Oliphant
Friday, June 24th, 2016

FLUSH WITH MONEY; REBUILD RATHER THAN RESURFACE; NO CITIZEN OVERSIGHT

Yavapai College has millions of dollars in discretionary property tax revenue that President, Penelope Wills can spend with little or no oversight by citizens. Currently, one of her recent decisions is to rebuild rather than resurface a number of parking lots in the District with a heavy focus on the Prescott Campus.

As noted above, there is no voter oversight of decisions by Yavapai County citizens over the expenditure of funds on such projects as parking lots. Obviously, resurfacing a parking lot is much less expensive than completely rebuilding it. But, if you got the money piling up, you got to spend it somewhere.

Shown below is the parking lot adjacent Building 29 on the Prescott Campus. As you can see, rather than resurface the lot, the College is spending thousands on constructing a completely new surface for the parking lot.

PARKING LOT BUILDING 29 SHOWING ALL DUG UP

Categories : Construction

Inadequately constructed Verde Campus pavilion to get some improvement

By R. Oliphant
Friday, March 11th, 2016

Semi-dirt floor to get concrete and pavers; more seats to be added

It was announced by Dean James Perey at the March 1, 2016 Governing board meeting that the inadequately constructed outdoor pavilion on the Verde Campus will get some improvements. (Possibly, this summer.)   The hope is to make it more than minimally useful for outdoor events.  Constructed at a cost of around a half million dollars just a few years ago, so far, it has proven to be a white elephant.

 The first phase, according to Executive Dean Perey, will entail replacing the semi-dirt floor with concrete and brick pavers. The pavers will allow for an even floor so that outdoor functions may be held in it.  The original brick and dirt floor was put in, no doubt, to save money. It made movement within the pavilion challenging.

Concrete will also be poured between the Pavilion and Building “M” to help accommodate the overflow at commencement events.  Perey says there will be more seating added and a variety of tables.

It is unclear whether the problems with the tiny concrete stage, the absence of adequate sound and lighting fixtures, and  the absence of dressing rooms will be addressed.  It is also not clear that  sun and wind issues, experienced by anyone who has attempted to use the pavilion,  will be considered.  Possibly, the flora put into the design are the College’s response to the sun and wind problems?

outdoor improvements verde campus poladium

Categories : Construction, Verde Campus

College moving ahead on $4.6 million fine arts building on Prescott Campus approved by 3-2 vote

By R. Oliphant
Friday, February 12th, 2016

To house fine arts programs and music courses; West County wins again

Yavapai Community College expects to spend $4.6 million dollars in the next two years to renovate current building 15 and construct an addition that will house fine arts and music courses.  The decision to allocate this amount of taxpayer money to the project was approved 3-2 last year by the Governing Board.  The construction is moving forward despite the continued decline in the number of students attending Yavapai College on the Prescott campus.winner takes all

The majority decision to move forward on this building was made by the vote of three-member West County representatives on the five member District Governing Board when they approved the budget in June, 2015.

Here is the chart that shows the expenditure, which was shown to the Governing Board by the administration at the February 9 workshop.

CAPAITAL IMPROVEMENT BUILDING 15

Categories : Construction

The Wills’ priorities: Buildings, buildings, buildings. Not education

By R. Oliphant
Thursday, January 21st, 2016

Wills places too low of a priority on education of students within the County; assessing dual enrollment fee on High School Juniors and Seniors her latest educational sin–it’s time for a new president

Commentary

Commentary

Yavapai Community College President Penelope Wills places education of Yavapai County students far too low on her list of priorities. At the top of her educational agenda are buildings, buildings, building, despite a 5,000 drop in student enrollment, which is continuing under her presidency.

Think about it:  She is anticipating spending $119 million on new building projects while student enrollment at the College continues to plumet.  And look at some of the projects.

She spent thousands of dollars in 2014 to build a concrete patio seating facility into the bank of a hill overlooking the College ballpark.  Critics say it was a complete waste of money since few use it (there are bleachers around the field).  She has also spent millions of dollar converting the 1105 student auditorium into a dinner theatre.  No additional seating; only amenities with no added educational value.

She spent over $1 million dollars to build a professional tennis complex where there is no College tennis team.  The Prescott Campus swimming pool and therapy pools are carefully groomed although the College has no swim team.

Building projects that waste money

Her latest assault on education is her determination to force Yavapai High Schools to pay at least $10 per credit for taking dual enrollment classes at the high school.  That fee will be assessed beginning this fall. The dual enrollment classes provide qualified Junior and senior high school students with an opportunity to earn a limited number of college credits while still in high school. High schools provide transportation, classrooms, heat, light, air conditioning, qualified instructors, high tech equipment, counselling and maintenance.  The College provides minimal administrative support and a tiny stipend per high school teacher.   The cost per student will now be at least $30 and will no doubt go up each year once it is in place.

How high schools will pay the fee is unclear.  For many students, especially in rural areas, the dual enrollment program is the only opportunity they will have to take college courses.  For some, who are poor, the fee will mean that they will not be able to take the college courses. Some high school districts, such das Camp Verde, will most likely drop the program.  The district simply cannot afford to pay the fee. 

Read More→

Categories : Construction, Dual enrollment

Second phase of $119 million Master Building Plan well underway

By R. Oliphant
Tuesday, December 29th, 2015

Money flowing like water; huge amount of funds going to Prescott campus

The Penelope Wills’ administration is continuing to pour money as fast as it can into various construction projects throughout the College system.  However, the largest amount of money by far is for, you guessed it, the Prescott Campus.  

money flowing like water 3The efforts by the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee and the two Verde Valley representatives on the Governing Board to slow down and require the administration to justify these multi-million dollar projects have been for naught.  Wills’ has never had her hands on so much tax money she can spend without interference from the Board.

Here is the latest information on current building projects as of December 29, 2015.

Building 29 on Prescott Campus

Demolition and utility location is underway for the Regional Economic Development Center, Building 29 as design nears completion. Construction documents are expected to be complete on December 16. Construction is scheduled to begin January 11 and continue through June 1, 2016.

Building 31 on Prescott Campus

Site utility location and other civil engineering functions are underway for Lifelong Learning, Building 31. Lifelong Learning staff will be moving to Building 1 Room 200 on December 16 and will return to Building 31 on or about June 1, 2016 which is when construction is scheduled to be complete.

Building 15 on Prescott Campus

Programming of Building 15 is scheduled to kick-off in March of 2016.  According to the College budget, it will spend over $5 million on renovating and construction on this facility.

Ramadas

Chino, CTEC and Prescott Valley will be receiving ramadas for use as outdoor seating. Work is underway to construct the foundations for these units with assembly expected to be complete and ready for use by the end of January.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS

Buildings 29/30/31 on Prescott Campus:  Pavement Rehabilitation – In design. (Actually most likely capital expense disguised as preventive maintenance.)

Sedona Center Stucco Repair/ Painting – Completion November 13

Sedona Center Roof Replacement – November 16 through December 15

ADA Parking Lot Modifications at the Verde Valley Campus – In design–probably capital project disguised as preventative maintenance.

Smith Group continues control

The Verde Valley Campus and Prescott Campus Wayfinding and Open Space Committees continue to secretly work with SmithGroup/JJR to develop a plan for open space improvements for fiscal years 2016 through 2020.

Categories : Construction, Ten year plan, Underserving the Verde Valley

Wills’ administration celebrates record-setting completion of phase 1a of ten-year Master Plan

By R. Oliphant
Sunday, November 22nd, 2015

Opposition from Verde Valley had no effect; Phase 1a completed in less than 2 years

The Wills’ administration is celebrating the record-setting construction of phase 1a of the ten-year Master Plan. Some say Wills’ has been pushing forward at a feverish pace fearing that the shift of a single vote on the Governing Board would bring a halt to the spending.  After all, it was only in December, 2013 that Wills’ obtained Governing Board approval for her ten-year $119-million-dollar development plan with 95% or more of the expenditures staying on the West side of the County. 

construction 1Opposition to rushing construction that came from the Verde Valley Governing Board representatives had no effect on Prescott.  Wills’ raced ahead with the projects despite a request from Verde Valley representatives on the Governing Board for a strategic plan justifying the millions of dollars of expenditures. She was consistently supported by the three-member West County voting block on the Governing Board. 

Wills’ also announced that the College was immediately moving into phase 2 of the ten-year plan.

The total expenditures for all the construction on both campuses remains a secret.  At the Career and Technology Education Center celebration, it was announced that the College spent $5.2 million for construction on that campus.  However, no figures have been released for the work on the Prescott campus and it is doubtful they will ever be revealed.

Here is how Verde Valley taxpayer property tax money was spent in record time  on construction projects on the West side of the Mountain.

  • CTEC: New restroom near the Auto Body shop.
  • CTEC: New Air Brush lab.
  • CTEC: New Bluing lab
  • CTEC: Additional faculty offices
  • CTEC: Entrance to CTEC was remodeled.
  • CTEC: Key card access and security cameras installed.
  • CTEC: Enlarged the student computer commons.
  • CTEC: Two new two computer labs.
  • CTEC: Replaced aging overhead lights with energy efficient LED lights.
  • CTEC: New skylights.
  • CTEC: Diesel Lab.
  • CTEC: Automotive Lab.
  • CTEC: Student Lounge.
  • CTEC: Motorcycle and ATV Lab.

Prescott Campus:

In addition to the $5.2 million investment in CTEC, Phase 1a of the ten-year-plan (now 14 year plan) found the College spending millions of additional dollars on major renovation and construction of three buildings and the Student Performing Arts Theatre on the Prescott Campus. It also rebuilt its access road and improved the lawn/seating areas around buildings 1, 2 and 3. Here are a few of the details of the completed work:

  • Building 1: Construction: University Transfer Center, first floor, new cashier’s station
  • Building 1: Construction: First floor new reception area.
  • Building 1: Construction: New graphics and finishes for the reception area.
  • Building 1: Construction: New Testing Center.
  • Building 1: Construction: Expanded Learning Center.
  • Building 1:  New furniture.
  • Building 2:  Construction: New roof.
  • Building 2:  Site preparation (grounds improvement).
  • Building 3: Site preparation (grounds improvement). Intersection of Buildings 1, 2 & 3 improved.
  • Building 3: Construction of Multipurpose room.
  • Building 3:  Construction of Student Activity Center offices and reception.
  • Building 3:  Construction of Student game center.
  • Building 3:  Construction of Student Club room.
  • Building 3:  Construction of Outdoor seating area.
  • Building 3:  Construction of Outdoor shade structure.
  • Building 3:  HVAC modifications along with the installation of fire sprinklers.
  • Building 3: New restrooms
  • Building 3:  New carpet.
  • Building 3:  Furniture for the Learning Center, Veteran’s Lounge and ABE Classroom.
  • Building 3: Technology for the new Multi-purpose room.
  • Building 3:  Renovation of classrooms 224, 225 and 226.
  • Performing Arts Theatre:  Construct First Floor Elevator landing.
  • Performing Arts Theatre:  Construct Second floor landing and balcony.
  • Performing Arts Theatre: Installation of elevator.
Categories : Construction
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