Jefferson College officials have agreed to spend almost $6.5 million on improvements to the Fine Arts building on its Hillsboro campus.
The college Board of Trustees voted 5-0 on July 25 to award a $6,461,900 contract to Brockmiller Construction in Farmington to build a 6,000-square-foot addition to the west side of the building and to renovate the existing building. Board member Marc Williams was absent from the meeting.
Brockmiller submitted the lowest of seven bids for the project.
“We are really excited to expand that facility to accommodate state-of-the-art spaces for our students,” President Dena McCaffrey said. “It’s a big investment, but we’re proud of our arts program and expect it to grow.”
John Linhorst, vice president of finance and administration, said the existing Fine Arts building includes 26,000 square feet, and once the addition is completed it will include 32,000 square feet.
He also said about 9,000 square feet of the current building will be renovated.
“(Construction) will start in September, with substantial completion in November 2025,” he said.
The new addition will allow for growth in the college’s music program.
“The focus of the addition is practice space for our chorale and band programs,” Linhorst said.
“They will construct an office suite for our associate dean of humanities, Dr. Joanne Fish. We’ll renovate parking on the east side and additional accessible parking to complement entrance remodeling.
“The renovation is going to include an elevator on the east side. There is an elevator on the north side that will remain. We’ll be expanding the theater lobby and renovating the restrooms to include accessible restroom facilities and we’ll incorporate an art gallery.”
Chris DeGeare, vice president of academic affairs, said the projects will enhance the college’s fine arts programs.
“The associate of fine arts degree is one of our fastest-growing programs at the college,” DeGeare said. “Whether majoring in visual or performing arts, we take pride in empowering these students to pursue their creative passions. This investment in the Fine Arts building will provide a learning environment that matches the quality of the education we provide at Jefferson College.”
The Fine Arts building construction will overlap the $3 million, 7,400-square-foot veterinary technology building project underway on the Hillsboro campus. It is projected to be complete late this year or early in 2025.