College Trustees Approve Design Services for Project

Posted in The Missourian: Thursday, May 14, 2015, 12:00 pm

East Central College trustees Monday night unanimously approved a contract with Cochran Engineering for professional design services for the renovation of the former Gala Center.

The college recently purchased the 19,807-square-foot building — previously used as an event center — to house career and technical programs. The building is located southeast of the main campus and sits on 4.33 acres. It includes parking for 255 vehicles.

Renovations will include creating a lab space where program equipment can be set up, as well as classrooms for instruction and offices for personnel.

The professional design phase of the project will cost $137,000, which includes fees for architectural, civil, structural and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection design.

The firm also provided separate fees for the design of a loading dock and in-fill of the existing courtyard patio.

Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president, noted that until work begins, officials will not know whether any of the additional services will be required. If so, the board will be asked to approve an addendum to the contract, he said.

Trustees approved the center’s purchase in April. The college paid $1.2 million for the building and property.

“Cochran is the firm that actually designed that building,” Bauer told the board. It was built in 2007.

The firm also assessed the building when the college was researching whether or not to move forward with the purchase.

“They’re both very familiar with the building and already familiar with our existing space utilization and how that facility can be used,” Bauer said. “They are uniquely qualified to do the design work.”

Design work will take place over the summer, Bauer said, with bid requests to go out in the fall. Renovation is expected to continue into the spring with an anticipated move-in date at the close of the spring 2016 semester.

To learn more about other Cochran projects with East Central College.