Glen Oaks Community College received word in early December from the state budget office that it is recommitting and recommending approval of capital outlay requests for several Michigan colleges including the $7.3 million Glen Oaks project. The state is providing $3.5 million of the project in addition to $1.5 million they provided earlier for capital improvements resulting in a $2.9 million college portion. These funds will come from college reserves and donations from supporters.
“The original state approval was vetoed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Dr. David Devier, Glen Oaks president. “All capital outlay projects were put on hold in March. Only the projects which were halted in process are moving forward at this time.”
“This has been a long three-year journey,” said Devier. “We have continued to work on plans over the summer; but this is the real green light we need to proceed.”
The Glen Oaks capital outlay plan calls for the total renovation of the north side of campus including the library, technical labs, art studio, business classrooms, restrooms, and replacement of the bowed exterior walls.
“The plans address maintenance, technology, safety and infrastructure upgrades to our 51-year old campus,” said Devier. “The project will increase the value of college with our students and the community. We hope to begin construction in early summer.”
Glen Oaks is one of five universities and community colleges to share in $80 million in capital outlay funding. Others include Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, and McComb Community College.
Glen Oaks provides more than 800 county high school students college-level instruction, with tuition that is supported by the local schools which results in an invaluable cost-saving opportunity for families.