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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 14, 2006 Educators seek public opinion for new center By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The team designing a shared educational center for Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University wants the public to join in the planning process. Portland-based SERA Architects and officials from both schools will meet from 6:30-8 p.m. today at RCC’s G Building, 117 S. Central Ave., Medford, to answer questions and gather comments from the community. "We want to get community input on the building, from what the exterior might look like to how it would be part of downtown," said Mary Louise Doran, executive dean of RCC’s Riverside Campus. The proposed building likely will cost between $18 million and $23 million and have from 75,000 to 95,000 square feet of space. It will be built in the block bound by East Eighth and Ninth and South Bartlett streets and South Riverside Avenue. The two schools have formed a joint advisory council to oversee the project, approved by the Legislature last year. The council has numerous subcommittees to deal with details on classrooms, office space, maintenance and operations, and the environmental impact and sustainability of the building, Doran said. Advertisement "We are really getting the planning started and this is a chance to reach out to the community to show them how we are using the bond money" and funds from the state, she said. The state provided RCC $4.1 million in bonding authority, and the community college has promised $5.75 million from a $24 million bond measure voters approved in November 2004. The state provided SOU $5.5 million in bonding authority and $3 million in direct funding. The university is seeking state and federal grants, as well as help from foundations, in efforts to raise $2.5 million in matching funds. The Medford Urban Renewal Agency has donated property and promised to pay for sidewalks, lampposts, trees and street improvements. Businessman and former Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer also donated land for the project. The project is on track to have the design completed by July, so it can go to bid this summer. Construction likely would start in late fall or early winter, so the building could open in January 2008, RCC officials said in a press release. Doran noted that this is the first building either RCC or SOU has built in Medford. Both currently offer classes in remodeled buildings that weren’t designed with students in mind, she said. "This is the very first time we’ve been able to create a building as an education center," Doran said. "This is our big shot to create it from the ground up." By collaborating on the project, the two schools hope to save on operating costs and smooth the way for students to take basic courses at RCC and advanced courses at SOU. Classrooms and common spaces, such as student lounges, will be shared. The center also will provide shared space for work-force training that will help the university and community college improve service to the business community, spurring economic development downtown, the RCC press release said. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail Educators seek public opinion for new center ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Advertisement s Advertisement