Building Trades News

A/AA Bond Money Brings New Five-Story 'Green' Classroom and Student Services Buildings

Construction is underway at LA Trade Tech's new technology building at the southern anchor of downtown Los Angeles. The $90 million project is the first phase of a long-term $240 million upgrade plan. The new building is not expected to open for another two years. In addition to the new construction, a $34 million restoration project is also underway. Construction of a 56,302 sq. ft. Student Services building is also underway.

Both of the new building will contain "SMART" classrooms outfitted with IT and audio-visual infrastructure for teaching capabilities. A 1,800 sq. ft. Masonry Utility Building is also included as part of the new construction project.

When completed, the new building which consist of two five-story buildings housing more than 65,000 sq. ft. of technology classrooms. Additionally, the school's Child Development Center is nearly complete and will open this year. The two-floor, $6 million facility will provide 14,238 sq. ft. of learning space for children up to 12 years old, increasing capacity from 50 to 96 children. It will also house an infant classroom, a first for the college.

As part of the 'green' design, both buildings will optimize energy performance, use low-emitting materials for healthy indoor air quality, include water efficient landscaping to decrease irrigation dependence by 50 percent, reduce occupancy water consumption by 20 percent, utilize renewable energy sources to provide power, recycle construction waste from the project site, and use construction materials manufactured locally.

Both new buildings will be built to the high standards of the US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria. Additionally, the buildings will meet the more stringent "Silver" rating.

The contract will provide for the construction of the South Campus project at Trade-Tech, and is the largest and most significant project under the Los Angeles Community College District's (LACCD) $2.2 billion Proposition A/AA Bond Construction Program.

"These two new buildings are among the most important examples of how the $2.2 billion construction program is breathing new life into our L.A. Community Colleges," said Georgia Mercer, then-president of the LACCD Board of Trustees, "Thanks to the foresight of Los Angeles voters, who approved the bonds for these programs, we will have updated facilities with modern equipment and capabilities for our students, faculty, and the next generation."

The campus expansion is being planned to accommodate an increase in the student population of 10 to 15 percent over the next five years. The campus already serves 24,000 students annually.

LACCD is one of the largest community college districts in the country, educating more than 188,000 students each year. The LACCD has embarked on a $2.2 billion construction and modernization program at its nine colleges, as funded by the Proposition A/AA Bond construction program. 

LACCD is also currently undertaking the largest public sector sustainable building effort in the United States, which has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the U.S. Green Building Council, California Climate Registry, Global Green USA and Flex Your Power. Trade-Tech was founded in 1925 and is the oldest of nine campuses in the Los Angeles Community College District.

In anticipation of future expansion, Trade-Tech has purchased several properties on the east side of Grand Avenue between 21st and 23rd streets and intends to buy more. The school may also look into building dorms.

The Topping Off ceremony for the new construction was held on May 29. Students, faculty and staff at Trade-Tech along with the AVA, Inc. management team, and officials from the Los Angeles Community College District, looked on as construction workers carried out a construction industry tradition by hoisting the last steel beam into place.

"This event allows us to honor all of the workers who put their hearts and hard work into making this project a reality," said Dr. Chip Chapdelaine, president of LATTC. "We are pleased to recognize the people that are responsible for the South Campus buildings, which will change the landscape of our campus and Downtown LA."