College proposes reuse-first master plan and $24M Dearlove Hall renovation

At the committee meeting President Anastasia Urtz described a facilities master-plan refresh that emphasizes using existing campus space rather than pursuing large new expansions. Among the capital concepts presented were refitting former music labs for allied-health and EMS paramedic training (estimated $2 million) and a $24 million renovation of Dearlove Hall to house trades, advanced-technology programs and hands-on learning.

Urtz stressed that wastewater infrastructure is the immediate priority because the residence-hall load exceeds the current system’s capacity; other renovations — lab upgrades, HVAC and plumbing work and athletic-field restrooms — depend on resolving wastewater issues first. "The first thing that needs to be done is wastewater infrastructure because the residence hall puts more load on the system than the system can handle," she said.

Other projects in the plan included ADA-compliant restrooms adjacent to the ball field (estimated $2.4 million), reallocating student-facing space between Warren Hall and the Student Center to restore restroom access (estimated $9.5 million), and refitting a chemistry lab to support bioprocessing and biotechnology.