Spring completion targeted for delayed South construction

Construction workers are a common sight on South.Zach Estrada/The Collegian
Construction workers are a common sight on South.Zach Estrada/The Collegian

By Anderson Colemon/south news editor

 

The oldest TCC campus is undergoing several changes as the college renovates South Campus buildings.

South students can expect to see a campus that aims to be more accessible, more spacious and more convenient.

The construction, though, has been delayed and leaves vice president of continuing education and economic development Gladys Emerson hopeful the construction will be finished by spring.

“The delay in the construction has impacted the progress of the office, and the school said construction should resume sometime Feb. 22 or March 1,” Emerson said.

According to Emerson, various vendors have not met the deadline given to them by the college.

Still, construction shouldn’t affect the campus at all, said director of strategic project development Margaret Lutton.

“We try to be empathetic also to the students, faculty and administration based on our academic calendar such as when semesters begin or end, mini-course schedules, summer school schedules, special event dates and holidays,” she said. “Tarrant County College follows special governmental codes, which require the set up, duration and completion of a construction project to be restricted to the public for their public safety.”

South recently has gone through various construction phases that should be completed by mid-spring.

“Depending on the size of the project, construction can take a few months up to a few years for new buildings,” Lutton said. “It also requires a great deal of planning with professional architecture or engineering firms.”

South students can expect changes to occur in the family empowerment center, the disability support office and the registrar’s office. The Veterans Affairs office will move to the SSOC building that will be located south of the library and west of the Student Center. The VA office will be shared with the disability support service office. The Science Building is to be renovated as well as the South library.

South registrar John Spencer said this change in offices allows veterans to get the services they want.

“We believe this will be a great place for us to better veterans at TCC,” he said. “They get a better chance to talk to counselors, and, hopefully, this will be done sometime by March so we can have a grand opening to celebrate.”

Construction will also include the grounds around the campus and the family empowerment center in the SSOS building, a new concept to help families in need of guidance.

Emerson said she is excited about the new center.

“I’m holding my breath because we have had so many changes here in regards to the construction,” Emerson said.

But that doesn’t hinder the happiness Emerson finds in the newly formed center.

“The concept will be the first on TCC,” she said. “I envision a grand opening like the open house that will happen sometime this spring. I can see the grand opening with a red ribbon in front of the building.”

The grading plan project is meant to level out the area where the ground becomes soft during inclement weather thus affecting students, faculty and staff.

“Construction can be temporarily inconvenient, but the outcome usually provides better environments for all, particularly students,” she said. “We hope that everyone is patient with the construction process, but we understand it can be frustrating.”