Posted 10:39 pm Thursday, September 06, 2012
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TJC board Recommends lead architect
Staff Reports
The Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to name SmithGroupJJR Inc. as the lead architectural firm for the planning and design of a new nursing and health sciences facility, according to a news release.
The new 150,000 square-foot facility will allow the college to expand its nursing programs and add new health sciences majors of interest to the local medical community.
The facility, scheduled to open for the spring 2015 semester, will be constructed on property bordered by Fifth Street and Fleishel Avenue.
“This is the largest project ever undertaken at this college, and we only get one chance to do it right,” TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said in announcing the college’s recommendation for lead architect.
A selection committee made the recommendation after meeting several times to review proposals.
Mark Kranz, principal design director for SmithGroupJJR, said the firm has completed similar projects across the country and has extensive experience working with hospital design and design for health training facilities, according to the news release.
The new 150,000 square-foot facility will allow the college to expand its nursing programs and add new health sciences majors of interest to the local medical community.
The facility, scheduled to open for the spring 2015 semester, will be constructed on property bordered by Fifth Street and Fleishel Avenue.
“This is the largest project ever undertaken at this college, and we only get one chance to do it right,” TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said in announcing the college’s recommendation for lead architect.
A selection committee made the recommendation after meeting several times to review proposals.
Mark Kranz, principal design director for SmithGroupJJR, said the firm has completed similar projects across the country and has extensive experience working with hospital design and design for health training facilities, according to the news release.
SmithGroupJJR will conduct interviews with college personnel and others to determine space allocations and design elements of the new facility.
Kranz discussed possible designs at Wednesday’s board meeting. According to the news release, Kranz said the site has a 40-foot fall from Fleishel Avenue to Magnolia Avenue that could present challenges. However, he said keeping the present fall of the land, and preserving a ravine that runs north and south across the property, could save in construction costs and preserve the land’s aesthetics, which includes a number of large trees.
Kranz said renovation of spaces vacated by academic programs that will move to the new facility will be designed and planned with the assistance of the Eubanks Harris Roberts Craig Architects and Fitzpatrick Architects, both of Tyler.
The Brannon Corporation will provide civil engineering assistance, with landscape design assisted by David C. Scarbrough Landscape Architecture of Tyler, he said.
In May, TJC district voters approved a $25 million bond program to help pay for the facility.
TJC officials said the construction of the new facility and renovation of existing structures will cost no more than $50 million, according to the news release.
Revenues from student user fees for nursing and health sciences programs will generate an additional $12.5 million. Private funding will cover the remaining $12.5 million.
Kranz discussed possible designs at Wednesday’s board meeting. According to the news release, Kranz said the site has a 40-foot fall from Fleishel Avenue to Magnolia Avenue that could present challenges. However, he said keeping the present fall of the land, and preserving a ravine that runs north and south across the property, could save in construction costs and preserve the land’s aesthetics, which includes a number of large trees.
Kranz said renovation of spaces vacated by academic programs that will move to the new facility will be designed and planned with the assistance of the Eubanks Harris Roberts Craig Architects and Fitzpatrick Architects, both of Tyler.
The Brannon Corporation will provide civil engineering assistance, with landscape design assisted by David C. Scarbrough Landscape Architecture of Tyler, he said.
In May, TJC district voters approved a $25 million bond program to help pay for the facility.
TJC officials said the construction of the new facility and renovation of existing structures will cost no more than $50 million, according to the news release.
Revenues from student user fees for nursing and health sciences programs will generate an additional $12.5 million. Private funding will cover the remaining $12.5 million.
