Glen Oaks – Renovation planning continues

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees members voted recently to move forward with a preliminary USDA loan application for renovations to the campus.
The vote followed a presentation by Eduardo LeBlanc of TMP Architecture, who presented a summary of work the firm has been conducting over the last eight weeks.
During that time, four vision planning sessions were held, which were well attended, LeBlanc said.
Based on those sessions, LeBlanc presented a slideshow of possible designs for the concourse, library and art studio/gallery.
Some discussion followed regarding whether to wait to apply for the USDA loan or move forward with it.
Trustee Joni Smith, who made the motion to move forward with the loan application process, said when the board decided to support an on-campus housing project, its members decided that updating the campus is equally as important.
The campus renovation project cost is estimated at $3.2 million. College officials may know by June if the state will contribute half the cost. An advantage to applying for the USDA loan now would be to lock in the low-interest rate.