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NEWS BRIEFS
MCTC celebrates work on new campus
From left Chancellor James Skidmore, Dr. Keith Cotroneo, Sue Richardson, and Herb Karlet celebrate during a renovation groundbreaking ceremony for the new site of Mountwest Community & Technical College on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, in Huntington.
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HUNTINGTON -- Though no ground was actually broken, a ceremony at Mountwest Community and Technical College on Wednesday represented the same purpose: to kick off the start of the renovation project at the school's new home off 5th Street Road.
The building, former home of both Arch Coal and DirecTV, will feature 115,000 square feet of operating space, 34 classrooms and labs, 650 parking places and easy access to Interstate 64, according to MCTC President Dr. Keith Cotroneo. He called the setting a "true campus environment" for MCTC, something it doesn't have by itself in its current locations, mostly on Marshall University's campus.
"Those are all things you can tangibly see," Cotroneo said. "What you can't see is what will be a more skilled and educated workforce, higher income for families, less poverty, stronger business and industry and a stronger tax base. That's what community colleges do for their communities."
Work is already under way on the building, which DirecTV vacated in August. Cotroneo has previously said he anticipates renovations to take 10 months to complete, making it ready for a fall 2012 start. Neighborgall Construction Co. of Huntington was awarded the contract, after submitting the winning bid of $5,530,000 for work on the basement, first and second floors. Neighborgall also had the lowest bids for several alternate projects, including renovations to the third and fourth floors; curb, sidewalk and asphalt repair; painting; and repair work to parking area A.
In March 2010, the West Virginia Senate passed S.B. 499, separating MCTC from Marshall University. MCTC offices and classrooms are currently spread throughout Huntington, including on Marshall's campus, a culinary institute on 8th Avenue and administrative offices at Pullman Square and above Latta's on 4th Avenue.
James L. Skidmore, chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, said Wednesday's ceremony is not only representative of the progress of Mountwest, but of the community and technical college system statewide.
"It has been a long, hard road, and this is a huge step in the right direction," said Skidmore, who presented a symbolic key to the Mountwest campus to Cotroneo. "This is a key to the futures of a lot of people."
The ceremony included congratulations from representatives of Sen. Joe Manchin and U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, as well as state Sen. Bob Plymale.
"Today is truly a great day for Mountwest, Cabell County and the entire state," said Sara Scarbro, reading a letter from Manchin. "Whether it is career and technical education or lifelong learning in the Tri-State, Mountwest delivers."
