Southwestern College Moves Step Closer to Construction of Corner Lot Development - Governing Board Selects Echo Pacific Construction to Build Concept Design

CHULA VISTA, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Southwestern College tonight moved one step closer to beginning construction of the corner lot development for its main campus in Chula Vista, including new classroom space and a state-of-the-art bookstore. Funded by Proposition R, the project is the largest new development since the college’s original construction in 1961.

“This development will allow us to create jobs for our residents, offer more classes to our students and further our college's reputation as a center of civic engagement and culture,” Dr. Raj K. Chopra, Superintendent/President of Southwestern College, said. “We are grateful to the community for their energy and ideas, and for passing the bond measure that made this project possible.”

The Southwestern College Board of Governors selected Echo Pacific Construction, Inc. to implement the design at its monthly Board meeting on Wednesday night. Once complete, the 110,000 square foot project will include a new college bookstore, classroom space, food court, art gallery, culinary arts program, wellness center, administrative offices, conference space and police station. The development, which will be located on the college’s corner lot at the H St. and Otay Lakes Rd., will generate dozens of construction jobs and incorporate modern green building techniques. Funding for the project is made available by Proposition R, which California voters approved in November 2008.

“We are now one step closer to turning this project into reality – and realizing its benefits for our students and community,” Yolanda Salcido, President of the Southwestern College Governing Board, said. “We are proud to be this community's institution of higher learning and when this project is complete, we will be able to offer more of the classes, programs and services that set our college apart.” Since joining the Board, Salcido has made the development of the corner lot a priority for the Board.

The design combines the Mayan style currently present on the campus with today’s standards for innovative and environmentally sound architecture. A complete parking structure housing 773 parking stalls will enhance the productivity of the campus as well as create a convenient traffic flow for the more than 22,000 students that attend. Sustainability will also play a major role in the facility’s planning, design and construction. Native drought-tolerant plants will be used in landscaping to decrease the dependency on water, individual thermal zones and occupancy sensors will monitor and control the use of heating and air conditioning, and low VOC materials will be used to maintain air quality. All acceptable construction waste will be recycled and recycled materials are planned to be used where possible.

“We are proud to have been selected to be a part of the team that will construct such an innovative design,” said Chris Rowe, President of Echo Pacific Construction. “It will be a privilege to work with Southwestern College Community College District, BCA Architects, our subcontractors, and community members on a project that will enhance an already existing outstanding institution of higher education. Participation in the new construction program allows Echo Pacific to maintain our continued commitment to providing our communities and students with the most innovative and technologically advanced facilities for learning.”

The project is scheduled to break ground October 2010 for completion in August 2012. In April, the Governing Board selected BCA Architects to complete the architectural design of the corner lot development.

About Southwestern College

Established in 1961, Southwestern College is the only institute of higher education in southern San Diego County and is the primary source of higher education for approximately 400,000 residents of communities including Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Nestor, Otay Mesa, Palm City, San Ysidro, Sunnyside and Coronado. The college serves approximately 20,000 students each semester and offers more than 285 associate degree and certificate options.

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