The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Tri-C asking Cuyahoga voters to OK bond issue
Cuyahoga Community College is asking voters in November to approve a 25-year, 0.5-mill bond for repair, improvement and construction of facilities for college completion and workforce education.
College officials said the levy would raise funding for the school to address decades of wear and tear on buildings, keep pace with rapidly changing technology and create new instructional space for growing programs.
If passed the issue is expected to generate $227 million. It would cost Cuyahoga County property owners $17.50 annually per $100,000 home valuation, according to the Cuyahoga County Elections Board.
Tri-C President Dr. Alex Johnson said the levy funds will be used to help fund projects that are part of Phase II of its facilities master plan. The college will also commit $125 million
of funds outside of the proposed levy for the projects.
According to Tri-C projects funded by the levy will include:
• Renovations and equipment
updates to labs used across the college by health care, manufacturing, information technology and other in-demand workforce programs
• An addition at Western Campus in Parma dedicated to programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math
• An addition to the Advanced Technology Training Center at Metropolitan Campus in Cleveland to create flexible lab space for engineering and manufacturing
• Construction of a second building for classrooms, student space and faculty at Westshore Campus in Westlake
• Creation of a Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Academy in Euclid with classroom and training space
• Repair and replacement of old roofs, plumbing, electrical, ventilation and security systems across the college
Johnson said 61 percent of the funding in Phase II will go toward infrastructure improvements and equipment and lab upgrades. The other 39 percent will go toward addressing facility needs.
The president said the college is asking voters to approve a levy because it can no longer afford to fund projects through operating funds and state money. He said over the past decade Ohio has cut back on higher education funding.
Technology changes quickly and Johnson said part of the $125 million the college is committing is being set aside each year to secure updated equipment and modernize classrooms.
“I think this is an important opportunity to contribute economic well-being growth in the community,” Johnson said. “I’m excited for what’s next for the college.”