Construction Underway for Housatonic Community College Expansion

Construction Underway for Housatonic Community College ExpansionBRIDGEPORT, CT – Construction has started for the expansion and renovation to Lafayette Hall at Housatonic Community College (HCC).

The Bridgeport, CT, college moved to its current location in 1997. At that time, the college had approximately 2,700 students enrolled and immediately experienced a significant enrollment increase. Current enrollment is 5,369 students.

To accommodate HCC’s steady growth, the college opened its second building, Beacon Hall, at the southern perimeter of the campus in 2008. The additional 174,500 square feet added classrooms, offices, a large multi-use Events Center, Wellness Center, Students Activities Center and enlarged bookstore.

Continuing its pattern of growth, the current 46,000-square-foot addition will create a new Welcome Center, enabling students to move more easily through the enrollment and registration process. Renovated spaces will also enlarge the college library, academic support center, new science labs and additional offices for student services.

HCC President Paul Broadie says, “The new space will allow us to expand academic programs and provide new ones to meet today’s employment requirements. We are projecting adding programs specifically in STEAM (Science, Engineering, Arts, Math) courses.

The $37.5 million project is expected to create over 600 construction-related jobs.

The college will continue all normal procedures and activities throughout the construction process.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2017, in time for the college’s 50th anniversary.

Featured

  • Anderson Brulé Architects Rebrands as ABA Studios

    Anderson Brulé Architects, based in San Jose, Calif., recently announced that it is celebrating 40 years of service by rebranding under a new name, according to a news release. The architectural, interior design, and planning firm will now be known as ABA Studios to refresh its identity underneath a new generation of leadership.

  • Longwood University Selects Builder for $73M Performing Arts Center

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that it has selected Swedish construction company Skanska as the builder of its new performing arts center, according to online news. The project involves the demolition of the current building and constructing a new, 64,500-square-foot facility.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

Digital Edition