CYPRESS : Trustees Vote to Start Fixing College Piazza

Plans for seismic retrofitting of Cypress College’s main walkway and construction of a book store, food court and student center beneath are moving forward.

Trustees of the North Orange County Community College District voted 6 to 0 Tuesday to begin the project, estimated to cost $1.2 million, and figure out later how to pay for it.

The second-story walkway has been fenced off since May, when an engineering report indicated that the piazza could collapse in an earthquake.

The district is waiting to hear whether it will get some financial aid and grants for the project from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If not, the money may have to come from reserve accounts, savings from not hiring full-time employees to replace those who retired this year, maintenance budgets or other funds.

Cypress College Student Trustee Ky Pham presented the district with a petition signed by more than 2,500 students and campus employees urging the Board of Trustees to commit to the project.

The piazza, in the center of the campus, links major classroom and administration buildings.

“We all agree that something needs to be done,” Trustee Barry J. Wishart said. “The question is where are we going to get the money?”

Board members said they expect to make a decision on funding within 60 days so that construction can begin by next summer.