Academic building is sign of campus growth
Bryan Willis
Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: News
Construction is nearing completion at the site of Kirkwood Community College's newest building. The new academic building will hold more classrooms where future Kirkwood Eagles will study and learn.
According to Executive Director of Facilities, Tom Kaldenberg, the 90,000 square foot building has cost the school $14 million, all of which was paid for with a bond issue. The building was designed by OPN, a Cedar Rapids based company hired by Kirkwood. After an open bid Kleiman Construction handled the construction of the building and remained on schedule despite the minor setbacks caused by the severity of the 2007-2008 winter.
Among the departments to be housed in the new building are Social Science and English.
Linn Hall will eventually house medical, math and science programs.
"Linn Hall was becoming cramped and there were several different departments occupying it. The new building should alleviate that," said Kaldenberg.
The construction was proposed four years ago in order to reorganize the school's departments and make room for the annual consistent rise in enrollment at Kirkwood.
Although offices will begin moving into the new building as early as October, the building will not be ready for classes until January of 2009.
The new academic building isn't the only sign of development on the campus. The horticultural department is also constructing a building which will include a new greenhouse and contain all the department's classrooms and offices.
When the horticultural department moves into their new building the old one will be converted into an art and drama annex allowing the school to expand those programs.
According to Executive Director of Facilities, Tom Kaldenberg, the 90,000 square foot building has cost the school $14 million, all of which was paid for with a bond issue. The building was designed by OPN, a Cedar Rapids based company hired by Kirkwood. After an open bid Kleiman Construction handled the construction of the building and remained on schedule despite the minor setbacks caused by the severity of the 2007-2008 winter.
Among the departments to be housed in the new building are Social Science and English.
Linn Hall will eventually house medical, math and science programs.
"Linn Hall was becoming cramped and there were several different departments occupying it. The new building should alleviate that," said Kaldenberg.
The construction was proposed four years ago in order to reorganize the school's departments and make room for the annual consistent rise in enrollment at Kirkwood.
Although offices will begin moving into the new building as early as October, the building will not be ready for classes until January of 2009.
The new academic building isn't the only sign of development on the campus. The horticultural department is also constructing a building which will include a new greenhouse and contain all the department's classrooms and offices.
When the horticultural department moves into their new building the old one will be converted into an art and drama annex allowing the school to expand those programs.
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