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Relocation of the remaining U Building occupants into portable classrooms until the contract to acquire them is approved officials said last week.

“If approved by the Board of Trustees, we will have the units ready for occupancy by the fall semester,” said Richard Van Pelt, vice president of administrative services.

A campus evaluation of the U Building in 2009 reported the structure was safe but not up to current seismic standards. Ever since, officials have been working on the facilities master plan, so PCC can replace the structure with a safer building.

A total of $80 million to rebuild the structure was the tentative cost given by PCC President Mark Rocha last year. An estimated of $65 million is needed to replace the building and $15 million for temporary space for the occupants to move into.

The process of relocating the remaining programs into portable facilities has to keep on moving forward, officials said.

Classes in the U Building are still being offered during the winter semester according to the Natural Science Division Dean David N. Douglass.

“In fact, we have a full schedule of science classes to be held in the U building for spring as well,” referring not only to the Natural Sciences programs that make up the vast majority of the classes in the building, but to other programs and classes that are also taught in the same facility.  “We cannot move into Lot 5A until the bungalows are in place and ready for classes,” Douglass added.

However, progress has been made. The Student Health Center and Trio programs have now moved to the D Building and, since last fall, the Health Science programs with exception of Radiologic Technology have moved to the Community Education Center, officials said.

“Radiologic Technology may remain in the U Building during spring if the necessary remodeling for the classroom/x-ray room at CEC is not completed in time for that semester,” said Division Dean of Health Sciences, Barbara Freund.

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