STLCC’s “Transformation” Outlined

Plans for Prop R funds revealed in detail

BY: BRUNO GRUBESIC
Staff Writer

The proposed timeline of “STLCC Transformed” projects. The demolition of at least seven buildings at Meramec is expected over the next few years. Graphic courtesy of STLCC.

Following St. Louis’ support and passage of Proposition R, granting an increased tax to support St. Louis Community College, students and community members of STLCC are left wondering what is entailed in this new budget increase. The college has dubbed their plan to utilize these funds as “STLCC Transformed” which has been given a page on the school’s website. This page gives an estimate of $24 Million annually to be used across all seven campuses to upgrade buildings, scenery, security, and more.

Included on said web page is also a link to a Master Facility Plan outlining plans and blueprints the college has for its campuses, with illustrations of potential redesigns of campuses, including an increased emphasis on gardens for the horticulture program, and native gardening.

A rendering of what a new campus entrance along Big Bend Road may look like. The project is one of many slated to be begin within the next few years. Graphic by Arcturis.

When interviewed for this piece, STLCC Chancellor Jeff Pittman told us to expect changes pushing STLCC towards a “21^st century learning environment.” But what are the changes the community can expect to see? And when can we expect to see them?

In the District Wide Master Plan is a slide showing an estimated calendar of the implementation of the new features brought about by this budget increase, which shows pre-design and design stages taking up the rest of 2022, and the first half of quarter 1 of 2023, with construction starting right after and lasting for about another year and a half, dipping its toes into the second half of quarter 2 of 2024.

The website’s included Master Facility Plan draws out plans and illustrations about new buildings and structures across STLCC’s many campuses. Dr. Pittman mentions that the college is still currently in a planning period, and that “We’re looking at a time frame of probably a lot of occupancy in these new spaces by fall of 2024.”

Unfortunately, while the college can look forward to changes and updates, most students in the current STLCC community will likely not be around to see them fully come to fruition.

Pittman goes on to say that after the college is done with the planning phase, Priority 1 projects are taking the spear head on this budget increase. The District Wide Master Plan names all of these Priority 1 projects; plans for the Meramec campus are extensive.

An exterior corner of the Business Administration building as photographed on Jan. 27, 2022. The building is one of many along Big Bend Road that is scheduled to be eventually demolished. Photo by Jacob Politte.

The plans include the new construction of greenhouse buildings and outdoor classrooms, renovations, relocations, and the demolition of older buildings. Those buildings include Communications South, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Clark Hall, the Library, and Campus Police and Continuing Education houses.

Some concerns have been brought up among the community about downsizing the library on the Meramec campus. When asked about this issue, Pittman says “we will work to develop a 21^st century library space […] certainly libraries are different now than they were in 1962 when that one was built… technology has really really advanced and our students are requiring more and more online services.”

When asked if the new library would have a bigger focus on digital information, Chancellor Pittman says “I believe that’s fair to say. How we’ll design that and work on ease of access to all those student resources will certainly be much more efficient and in tune with today’s students.”

The Meramec campus library in the fall of 2019. The library building is scheduled to be demolished within the next few years, and a science building will be built on it’s former grounds. Photo by Syed Ali.

Librarian Rebecca Helbling says “I’m hoping that in whatever the libraries turn out to be in this new rendition that we still have academic support and tutoring,” and that her and other librarians are “waiting to hear more information,” and “looking for ways where we can give input in how things turn out.”

Also included in these Phase 1 projects is new construction and renovation on the Wildwood, Forest Park, and Florissant Valley campuses. Forest Park and Florissant Valley can also expect to see demolition of older facilities, including Communications and Emerson Center for Engineering in Florissant Valley, and Hospitalities Studies in Forest Park; along with vacation of decentralized properties, such as Florissant Valley’s center for workplace innovation, and Forest Park’s Art Annex and Highland Park building.

Chancellor Pittman describes the college’s mission to “prepare individuals for the workforce, prepare them for further higher education, and also provide continuing education to the community… it’s really a three-legged stool that we continue to work on.”

STLCC TRANSFORMED | MERAMEC PLANS

The following maps detail STLCC’s plans for demolition of seven buildings on the Meramec campus, as well as what may replace them. The specifics of these plans are subject to change.