OCC gets a new, sturdier look

Amy R. Spurgeon

COSTA MESA -- The Business Education building at OCC has done its job

well for close to 50 years.

The sprawling one-story brick and glass building has weathered the

storms, soaked in the sun and sheltered thousands of students who have

walked its sturdy halls since the early 1950s. Now the structure is

getting its own tender, loving care.

It is one of eight buildings on campus to undergo seismic retrofitting,

an upgrade recommended by state architects two years ago.

“We have to make sure these buildings can withstand a 7.0 [earthquake],”

said Mike Canett, maintenance lead at OCC. He and his crew will spend

close to three months on each building, placing large, metal beams along

their exteriors as well as putting reinforcements underground. Crews must

also make the structures compliant with the Americans with Disabilities

Act.

Founded in 1948, OCC was continually overlooked for structural

enhancements during the 1970s and 1980s because funds were being used to

build new community colleges throughout the county, Carnett said.

“Now it’s our turn,” Carnett said. “It’s kind of fun.”Retrofitting

actually began last fall, after OCC officials decided to take on the

massive project. State officials determined that the OCC campus required

the most work out of all of its community colleges, according to James

Carnett, director of community relations.

“From a safety standpoint, it has to be done,” said Terry Craig, OCC

director of maintenance. “It’s a benefit to do it now rather than wait

and have another Northridge earthquake hit down here.”

The state paid $2.1 million toward retrofitting the eight buildings. But

the school and Coast Community College District will spend an additional

$1.3 million for expenses related to the leasing and building of portable

classrooms, general upgrades and enhancements.”We haven’t seen this kind

of construction since the 1950s,” said Carnett, a 28-year employee. “It’s

really exciting.”In an effort to curb construction-related confusion,

school officials have posted signs throughout campus directing students

to temporary classrooms.While students notice the construction, hard hats

and yellow-tape, most are unaware the activity is for seismic

retrofitting.”I wondered why they closed down Admissions,” said 18-year

old Huntington Beach resident Michael Cavinder, a first-year theater arts

major. “I don’t really get out of the theater much.”Some said they had

not been inconvenienced by the construction and were just happy to find

their classes.”It changes your way a little bit, but not too bad,” said

20-year old Huntington Beach resident Neil Elhurr, attending classes for

three years as a business student.Carnett said retrofitting of the

four-story brick library will take place this summer and will cost the

state an additional $2.5 million. A temporary library will be built on

the north side of campus, he said.

The campuswide retrofitting is expected to be complete by 2002, Carnett

said.