SAN DIEGO–Taxpayer-approved projects built as part of the San Diego Community College District’s $1.555 billion Propositions S and N construction continue to be honored for excellence in design, engineering and sustainability, successfully competing for such distinctions with projects from throughout San Diego County.
Miramar College’s $14.4 million Site and Infrastructure Development project was honored Saturday evening as the “Outstanding Engineering Feasibility Project” by the San Diego section of the American Society of Civil Engineers at its 21st Annual Awards Dinner.
The project involved the demolition and grading of over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of surface areas to install new walkways with enhanced ADA access, new parking lots with lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping over the majority of the campus, and a reclaimed water irrigation system.
The $28.9 million Allied Health Education and Training Facility at Mesa College was honored last month with a Project Achievement Award for new buildings greater than $25 million the San Diego chapter of the Construction Management Association of America at its annual awards gala. The facility houses degree and certificate programs for five of San Diego’s most in-demand healthcare fields.
“We are gratified that projects approved by San Diego taxpayers are being recognized for their excellence in design, engineering and construction,” said David Umstot, Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management, San Diego Community College District. “This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to provide students and staff with clean, healthy, safe and well-designed environments to support teaching and learning.”
Miramar’s Site and Infrastructure Development project involved the demolition and grading of over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of surface areas to install new walkways with enhanced ADA access, new parking lots with lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping over the majority of the campus, and a reclaimed water irrigation system. Construction activities included underground trenching to depths up to 30 feet for the installation of over 12 miles of piping and conduit. This included electrical and telecommunication conduit, piping for a new storm drain system with an underground precast 6,000,000+ gallon capacity storm water detention system, sanitary sewer lines, domestic water, fire service, chilled water, hot water and natural gas service to support the future campus build out. Once complete, the campus will provide facilities and programs to support the enrollment of 25,000 students.
· 18.3 Miles or 98,589 linear feet of irrigation pipe buried in the ground ranging in size from 6-inch diameter down to 3/4-inch diameter
· 7,800 pop-up sprinkler heads
· 21,457 square feet of drip irrigation in appropriate areas to minimize water use
· 763 newly planted trees (24’ box, 36’ box, and 60’ box seizes)
· 63,770 newly planted shrubs. Ornamental grasses, and ground covers
· 149,561 square feet of newly created turf areas
· 51,794 square feet of native plant buffer adjacent to the environmentally sensitive area on the northwest portion of the site
The Allied Health project consisted of two separate projects. The first was a three-story, 50,000 sq. ft. facility to provide training facilities and classroom space for degree and certificate programs for five healthcare fields: Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Physical Therapy Assistant and Radiologic Technology.
The second component was a major road realignment with associated surface parking for multiple open lots. The new roadway was phased in, and the old roadway area was replaced with new surface parking area. The project also included new landscaping and irrigation, new hardscape, new site utilities (including fire and domestic water service, gas, electrical, storm drains and sewer drains), new exterior lighting and a new bus shelter.
· The project maximizes use of natural lighting. In addition to reducing energy demands from artificial lighting, natural light is shown to reduce eyestrain and increase productivity. People function better in light-filled environments.
· All windows utilize ‘high performance’ glass that allows sunlight to filter into the building, but reduces the amount of UV light and solar heat entering the building.
· All walls and roof areas are highly insulated, helping to conserve energy resources and making the building more comfortable by maintaining a healthy and uniform temperature.
· Linoleum flooring, a natural material made from linseed oil, is used extensively throughout the building.
· Energy efficient design and features help Allied Health exceed California’s Title 24 energy requirements by 7.4%
· Allied Health will get some of its energy from the photovoltaic panels on the nearby parking structure, boosting the building’s energy efficiency cost savings to 58.7% compared to a standard building.
· 200,000 square feet of drywall
· 160,000 linear feet of metal stud framing
· 300,000 drywall screws
· 13,900 square feet of interior and exterior limestone
· 2,700 square feet of limestone paving in lobbies
· 7,000 square feet of ceramic tile in restrooms.
The $1.555 billion Propositions S and N construction bond program is providing for new instructional and career training facilities, major renovations, campus wide infrastructure projects, public safety enhancements and parking projects at City, Mesa and Miramar Colleges, and six Continuing Education campuses.
