DEPARTMENT OF PIKES PEAK COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF PIKES PEAK COMMUNITY COLLEGE FY 2016-17 Capital Construction Request October 1, 2015 John W. Hickenlooper Governor [Name] Executive Director Department or CCHE Capital Construction Priority: xx Student Learning Commons and Black Box Downtown Studio Campus 6/26/15 Signature Date Summary of Capital Construction Request Total Cash Federal CCFE Funds Funds* Funds FY 2016-17 $ 6,550,995 $ 4,847,735 $1,703,260 $ -0- FY 2017-18 $ -0- $ -0- $ -0- $ -0- FY 2018-19 $ -0- $ -0- $ -0- $ -0- *For Higher Education institutions, please make a notation here if the institution is participating in the Intercept Program. Request Summary: Pikes Peak Community College is requesting $4,847,735 in support of a project totaling $6,550,995 to add 9,823 square feet of space to our Downtown Studio Campus. Adding a primary entrance on the west side of the existing campus, the newly constructed space will feature a 3,400 square feet Student Learning Commons Space with flexible study areas, surrounded by a 4,800 square feet Black Box flexible theater, support and performance space, that will be located and sized to accommodate the projected growth of the visual and performing arts programs, as well as increase the overall laboratory space available to multiple programs. This project will also serve to unify the two stand-alone buildings into one cohesive campus, thereby improving circulation and life safety egress. Project Description: The Student Learning Commons and Black Box Theater project, a 9,823 square foot new space addition, is well programmed incorporating a 3,400 square feet student commons space surrounded by a 4,800 square feet Black Box flexible theater, support and performance space. The design also creates a west-facing main entrance for the building, taking advantage of views to Pikes Peak and facing our acquired parking area and future building site at 22 N. Sierra Madre that sits directly across the street. The Student Learning Commons space (3,400 ASF) is sufficiently large enough to house flexible study space including study groups and tutoring services, computer stations, lounge areas, student club and organization meetings, vending, and a student services and support counter. Moveable furniture along with Wi-Fi technology will provide students the ability to quickly create collaborative learning environments and student life gatherings. Providing adequate on-campus study areas and community areas is a critical component of student success strategies. Page 1

The flexible Black Box performance and meeting space (4,800 ASF) provides a flexible learning environment as well as a performing venue, seating up to approximately 300 people for theater and music performances from PPCC students and from others in the community seeking a performance venue. The space is also designed to serve the community s need for public meeting space. It is appropriately located between the existing buildings with critical links to the front entry and student learning commons area as well as the theater support spaces which will allow rear of house access for productions and supply. The theater will include lighting, technology, and sound systems to provide the capacity to allow multiple space arrangements. Mobile seating will be utilized to allow maximum flexibility. Additionally, the theater support spaces will provide appropriate learning, production, development and storage areas which can allow expansion of the main theater area for orientation and seating arrangements, be used for set production, and or be arranged for classroom functions as well. By connecting the two existing buildings in an intuitive way that focuses the traffic patterns, both interior and exterior, the entire campus will function as one building and paths of egress will be clearly marked and more easily understood by occupants. Unification of one fire alarm system will ensure uniformity of alarm system information transfer, helping increase life safety by decreasing miscommunication. Background and Justification: The Pikes Peak Community College Downtown Studio facility was purchased in 1986 to provide for a demand for downtown operations and to expand facilities and service to the community. The current space consists of 21,118 ASF instructional space and 34,211 total ASF. The Downtown Studio houses many of the creative art programs including music, visual arts, theater, and dance. In addition, this campus also houses paralegal, architecture, and general education programs. The Downtown Studio has only one science laboratory in addition to specialized studio laboratories, and computer labs. Room use data indicate the Downtown Studio laboratories have the highest utilization rates of any PPCC instructional space. Weekend College and many evening course options are offered at the Downtown Campus. Between 2007 and 2013 student FTE grew by 29% at the downtown location. Course section offerings increased by 22% since 2009. Ease of access is one key attribute of the downtown campus. It is easily reached from many parts of the city by bicycle, public transportation, and car. Further, it is located in close proximity to restaurants and retail businesses in Downtown Colorado Springs where many of our students work. The downtown campus is serving students, but is hindered by two significant shortcomings. The first is that there is very little common learning space to support tutoring services, studying, group class assignment work, open computer stations for course work, or a place to develop community. The current spaces available to meet the need for a collaborative learning environment are inadequate as they comprise mostly spaces carved out of existing circulation space. The PPCC Master Facility Plan completed in 2012 calls out a current significant deficiency in Downtown Campus study space (deficit of 8,601 ft2) and student life space (deficit of 14,843 ft2). The current building, constructed in the early 20th century, served many years as a Catholic School but did not incorporate the types of dedicated common spaces for collaborative learning and studying now recognized as critical to student development and success. The second challenge addressed by this proposal is development of a flexible performance and instructional space. Although, PPCC houses most of its art and creative performance academic programs at the downtown location, currently no space is available to hold artistic performances, preventing students in the visual and performing arts programs from experiencing the full spectrum of their education and precludes the ability of the college to reach out to the downtown community with such performances. The current Page 2

space being used for dance and theater classes on this campus consists of non-purpose built standard classrooms that have been adapted to serve as dance or theater classrooms but lack the scale, materials and amenities that purpose built spaces would have or the requirement to rent facilities at off-campus sites. The Master Facility Plan specifically calls for development of a black-box theater / gathering space. This capital construction proposal calls for addition of a 4,800 square foot theater and theater support area to support student performances, faculty and staff gatherings, community public meetings and performances, and instruction for classes in theater, dance, music, and public speaking. Addition of this flexible instructional and performing space will support continued growth and student enrichment at our downtown campus while also providing a new community venue for public meetings and performances. The existing site plan contains a void between the two current campus buildings and the space is currently underutilized as redundant circulation and an overly large entrance. This project provides a primary entrance on the west side of the existing campus. Situating a new, purpose built space to the west side of the existing void enables it to be a useful learning environment as well as a multi-function space. This west entrance will be designed in such a way as to become the primary front door to the campus as a whole, which is currently not a function that is clearly delineated on the campus at this time. The location that is best for this front door is also adjacent to the existing void in the campus, due to its central location and proximity to a primary traffic axis, Sierra Madre Street. This project will also increase the overall life safety conditions on the Downtown Studio Campus by clarifying and enhancing circulation as well as enabling the fire alarm system from each existing building to be operated as one. The increase in clarification is based on the currently confusing nature of the circulation between the two buildings. The unification of the fire alarm systems in each building into one comprehensive system will eliminate occurrences of occupants exiting one building by moving into another building. Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Analysis: Feasible project alternatives reviewed: 1. Entering into a usage agreement with an entity that already owns an adequate facility was deemed not workable due to the fact that no such facility exists within a close enough proximity to the campus. 2. Construction of the facility in a different location on the Downtown Studio Campus is not an option due to the increased cost and decreased functionality. Placing the addition further to the west is not possible due to presence of the street. Placing the addition any further to the east will increase cost from increased site preparation and increased circulation space to connect the facility with the two existing buildings to the north and south. Also, if the addition was placed further to the east, it would not be possible for it to serve as a primary front door to the west side of the campus. Consequences if not Funded: The College s contingency plan for operating in the existing space would be to maintain collaborative learning in existing classroom and non-academic spaces as well as continue to have classes meet in makeshift accommodations instead of purposely built facilities. As this project is delayed, potential loss of enrollment could result. Depreciation of Capital: Page 3

Based on a 25 year depreciation schedule, the annual straight line depreciation of State Funding is $193,909. 1% of total State funding $48,477. Operating Budget Impact: The new collaborative learning environment serving as a tutoring area with computer connections and flexible study space will help engage students and provide learning assistance leading to greater retention and degree completion. The flexible theater space should attract new students into the visual and performing arts programs and also increases in event reservations from both college activities and community events. Increases in tuition revenue from retention and new students as well as an increase in reservation income from community events should be realized immediately from this proposed project. Although the addition will be energy efficient, a slight increase in utility costs will be experienced given the additional square footage to the campus, approximately $12,000 annually. Space Needs: PPCC s 2012 Master Facilities Plan identifies a need for spaces that are added by this project. This large space need is highlighted by a significant deficiency in Downtown Campus study space (deficit of 8,601 ft2) and student life space (deficit of 14,843 ft2). Beneficiaries: The proposed project will have a beneficial effect on the whole campus by integrating communal space and improving the circulation between the two separate buildings on campus. Goals: PPCC s 2012 Master Facilities Plan and 2012-2017 Strategic Plan both call for elements that are included in this project as well as it being included in the 5 year needs list. Expanding and strengthening opportunities for students to learn and succeed through academic and supportive services will be attained by the new Student Learning Commons, a collaborative learning environment which will serve as a tutoring area with computer connections and flexible study space, engaging students leading to greater retention and degree completion. Exercise regional leadership through transformative partnerships and educational opportunities will be achieved by the flexible theater space, supporting student performances, faculty and staff gatherings, community public meetings and performances, and instruction for classes in theater, dance, music, and public speaking. Specifically identified as an intervention at the Downtown Studio by the 2012 Master Facilities Plan, the Black Box Theater will resolve an academic lab space deficit and reinforce the strong arts culture celebrated at the Downtown Studio campus. Assumptions for Calculations: Estimated expenditures for land purchases; Estimated expenditures for professional services; Estimated expenditures for construction; A list of equipment and furnishings, including estimated prices; N/A $ 805,018 Includes additional costs for professional services due to unknown site conditions $ 5,153,885 Includes all stage systems for flexible theater space. $ 242,000 Furnishings including tables and seating for student learning commons space and classroom Page 4

Calculations for art in public places, as necessary; Inflation assumptions by year and component; A discussion of costs associated with High Performance Certification Program (HCHP), or LEED certification, and the target certification level. If HPCP certification will not be pursued, please provide an explanation as to why the project is exempt from this requirement; and Other details as necessary. furniture, moveable stage and theater seating for flexible theater space, and audio/visual technology related equipment. Estimated pricing based on industry standards for a project of this magnitude. $ 38,140 1% of state construction costs Construction costs were adjusted for 1 year of 10% inflation. This building will be designed and constructed with the goal to achieve LEED Gold status. Anticipate 2% (approximately $75,000) will be dedicated to meet LEED standards. The actual design and construction of the building will at minimum meet HCHP. Supplemental Justification (if necessary): N/A ADDITIONAL REQUEST INFORMATION Please indicate if three-year roll forward spending authority is required. Yes X No Date of project s most recent program plan: June, 2015 revised for current cost estimates Please provide the link to the program plan or attached the first page of the analysis to this document: (link or page needed) Request 6-month encumbrance waiver? Yes X No New construction or modification? X New Renovation Expansion Capital Renewal Total Estimated Square Footage 8,200 ASF 9,823 GSF Is this a continuation of a project appropriated in a prior year? Yes X No If this is a continuation project, what is the State Controller Project Number? N/A ESTIMATED PROJECT TIME TABLE Steps to be completed Start Date Completion Date Architect & General Contractor Selection 07/2016 08/2016 Design Phase 09/2016 11/2016 Construction 12/2016 10/2017 Page 5

Building occupancy 11/2017 11/2017 CASH FUND PROJECTIONS (DELETE IF NOT APPLICABLE) Cash Fund name and number: 320 Statutory reference to Cash Fund: Higher Ed Tabor Enterprise Describe how revenue accrues to the fund: Tuition and Fees Describe any changes in revenue collections that will be necessary to fund None required. this project: If this project is being financed, describe the terms of the bond, including the length of the bond, the expected interest rate, N/A when the agency plans to go to market, and the expected average annual payment (delete row if unnecessary): FY 2016-17 Projected FY 2017-18 Projected FY 2015-16 Projected Ending Fund Balance Ending Fund Balance Ending Fund Balance with Project Approval with Project Approval $ 61,479,000 $ 57,179,000 $50,479,000 $49,000,000 FY 2014-15 Actual Ending Fund Balance Page 6