ICC Unveils 5-Year Plan

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FULTON, Miss. (WCBI)  – Itawamba Community College has embarked on a five-year plan that will include significant building projects on both the Fulton and Tupelo campuses.

On the Tupelo Campus within the next 18 months, the technical education building will be renovated, and a new physical plant will be constructed east of the Lee County Schools office on College View Drive.  The technical education building will not be utilized this year, but will house labs when the renovation is complete.

According to vice president of Development and Planning Wayne Sullivan, the next phase will include demolition of a faculty house as well as structures that have housed welding, heating and air conditioning and the physical plant. Within 24 months after the demolition, a general academic building will be constructed on the site.  Sullivan said the entire project should take a total of 45 months if everything progresses on schedule.

Located on the site of the current administration building facing Eason Boulevard, the two-story general academic building will include a commons area, food service, classrooms and administrative offices.

Members of ICC’s Board of Trustees had an opportunity to “walk through” the Tupelo Campus prior to approval of the plan at its Feb. meeting, according to President Mike Eaton. “The trustees could see the need for relocation of the physical plant and demolition of the buildings, which were built in the mid-‘60s. Our desire is to make the Tupelo Campus a better place for faculty, staff and students and to give the campus a much-needed facelift.”

On the Fulton Campus, phase I of a FEMA grant has been approved for the design and development of services of architects and engineers through bid documents for the construction of a 21,000-square-foot band hall with a safe room. The facility will be located between Main and Roper streets.

The total amount approved for phase I of the band hall/safe room construction is $336,440 with the federal share of $211,365 and the local amount of $125,075. Completion of the design is expected by Dec. 15. Sullivan said that 18 months will be allowed for construction, and the facility should be open for the 2017 fall semester. Since it is a federal project, the extensive review process that is required could affect the construction schedule, he noted.

“We have labeled this as a five-year plan; however, in reality the components could be completed in three-and-a-half years,” Eaton said.

Categories: Local News, State News

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