TCC-City of Chesapeake celebrate upcoming buildings

TCC and the City of Chesapeake held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Feb. 20, 2012, for two three-story buildings – an Academic Building and a Student Center – that will more than double the footprint of the Chesapeake Campus. The new facilities will help meet the high demand for quality and affordable higher education in one of the fastest growing cities in the Commonwealth. These buildings will house state-of-the-art classrooms and cutting-edge technology for instruction, as well as a place for student study, meetings and recreation on campus.

Speakers at the event spoke to a crowd before the groundbreaking. Shown above, left to right, are: Linda Rice, Provost, Chesapeake Campus; Alan P. Krasnoff, Mayor, City of Chesapeake; LaVonne Ellis, Chair, TCC Board. Below, left to right, are: Brandon Morgan, student, Chesapeake Campus; Deborah M. DiCroce, President, TCC.

President DiCroce noted that the Student Center and Academic Building are being built on a 24-acre parcel acquired by the city and conveyed to the college. The city provided $4.2 million for site development, including some 380 much-needed parking spaces.

The $32.5 million Academic Building will span 60,000 square feet over 3 stories, including a large general assembly space with seating for 200.

The $20.75 million Student Center, with over 57,000 square feet and 3 stories, will offer a Campus Café with an exterior deck overlooking the pond and Audubon Sanctuary, and will feature numerous student services including child-minding, spaces for student government and clubs and a student lounge.

TCC Board and Educational Foundation members joined the president, mayor, city officials, provost and students for the ceremonial emptying of buckets of soil at the groundbreaking site.