Oakland Community College to spend $4 million on renovations

Oakland Community College was established in 1964 and for 30 years the college built up its programs, started new ones, and built new campuses. Unfortunately, they spent so much time working on the academics a few things got neglected the along the way.

"We spent so much time with the new that we didn't really do much with the maintenance," George Cartsonis, OCC Communications Director, says. "And with each year that ended something passed through its useful life."

He's talking boilers, tiled hallways, and stretches of pavement.

In 1995 a .8 mill OCC property levy tax that brings in $45 million annually was passed. This money goes toward new technologies, scholarships, academic program development, and, of course, building improvements.

Since then, the college has done it's best to keep their older buildings up to date and in working order.

This summer OCC will sink $4 million of that annual cash pool into three separate projects.

At the Auburn Hills Campus $259,700 will go toward resurfacing deteriorated pavement.

A new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit will replace the current 28-year-old one at the Highland Lakes Campus. This will also require interior renovations throughout Woodland Hall. The bulk of the money will go toward this renovation, costing $3,426,400.

And finally, at the Royal Oak Campus Atrium lighting and carpeting on the second floor will be replaced for $219,400.

As not to distract classes, more so than the students already are, the projects will begin and end this summer, Cartsonis says.

Source: George Cartsonis, OCC Communications Director
Writer: Terry Parris, Jr.