Long Beach City College to consider $850 million bond measure

Trustees for the Longu2009Beach Community College District Board on Tuesday will vote on whether to place an $850u2009million bond measure on the Juneu20097 statewide primary ballot.

College officials say the bond will go toward classroom improvements, urgent repairs and upgrades to 1950s-era buildings at LBCC’s two campuses. The new bond measure, if placed on the ballot and approved by voters, would follow previous bonds that called for $616-million in construction projects.

The new bond would help address enrollment trends, overcrowding and student safety, according to meeting agenda documents. Additionally, joint-use projects could include athletic facilities, daycare centers and facilities for business development and career technology centers.

LBCC commissioned the research firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates to conduct a survey last December of 600u2009registered voters, to gauge the level of support for a new bond measure.

The survey found that 65u2009percent of June voters support the bond. Fifty-eight percent of registered voters said LBCC classes are so crowded that some students are not able to meet requirements to graduate, transfer or ea credentials.

The bond measure would need 55u2009percent of voter approval to pass.

President-Superintendent Eloy Ortiz Oakley aounced the potential bond measure during his aual State of Longu2009Beach City College address earlier this month. Oakley talked about recently completed projects, including a new culinary arts facility on the Liberal Arts Campus and a new math student success center, but said many of LBCC’s older classrooms and buildings are rapidly deteriorating.”

Trustees meet at 5u2009p.m. Tuesday in Roomu20091100 of the Tu2009Building on the Liberal Arts Campus, 4901u2009E. Carson St. in Longu2009Beach.

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