LACCD Targets Construction Projects with Bond Funds

The Los Angeles Community College District's Proposition A/AA Bond Program is providing more than $2.2 billion for new construction and modernization projects at each of its nine colleges: Los Angeles City College; East Los Angeles College; Los Angeles Harbor College; Los Angeles Mission College; Pierce College; Los Angeles Southwest College; Los Angeles Trade-Technical College; Los Angeles Valley College; and West Los Angeles College.

Proposition A was passed by Los Angeles voters in 2001, providing $1.245 billion to the Los Angeles Community College District for modernization, renovation, improvement, and new construction projects for each of its nine colleges. Proposition AA was passed by Los Angeles voters in 2003, providing an additional $980 million for the modernization program.

The LACCD is currently undertaking the largest public sector sustainable building effort in the United States. As directed by the District's Board of Trustees, all new buildings funded with Proposition A/AA Bond funds by 50 percent or more will be "green" buildings.

The total number of construction projects is 457, and the district has spent $568 million so far with 110 projects completed to date. The district said that $1.4 billion will be spent by March with 168 projects completed at that time. There are 122 projects in design and 60 in construction.

The district said it is also involving local communities in the program, including creating 237 internship opportunities in professional setting for students enrolled at any of the nine Los Angeles Community Colleges. In addition, the district's Business Outreach Program has achieved its goal to include participation from local, small, emerging or disabled-veteran business enterprises. More than 70 percent of the total contract dollars have gone to L/S/E/DV business enterprises. The program's Business Outreach team provides ongoing training opportunities for small contractors interested in working on bond-related projects with its free Boot Camp and Estimating classes.

The Bonding Assistance program, the first of its kind for higher education, will also expand the pool of available contractors for construction projects by providing bonding, contract specific financing, and technical assistance to smaller firms.

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