Please Announce Immediately

CSM CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS NEWS FLASH
“Topping Out” ceremony for College of San Mateo’s new Science Building last week
San Mateo, CA; April 19, 2005—On April 12, a “topping out” ceremony was held for College of San Mateo’s new Science Building, as CSM faculty and administrators, San Mateo County Community College District officials and construction company managers signed the building’s final piece of structural steel framework, and then watched as it was hoisted into place by crane.

Visit http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/toppingout/ to view 12 photos from last week’s event.

“Topping out” is an ancient tradition in construction, with European roots. Today, it is mostly ceremonial and involves project participants signing their names to the final beam with messages for posterity. In some cases, ironworkers place a flag on the top of the structure for good luck.

The new 58,500 square-foot Science Building, the first new classroom construction on campus in nearly 40 years, is expected to be completed in early 2006. Serving as the north entrance to campus, this flagship building will feature new, state-of-the-art science classrooms and labs, along with a planetarium and an observatory with a retractable roof for several fixed telescopes.

New Live Construction Cam!
Visually track CSM on-campus construction projects, such as the Science Building, via the new “live construction cam.” To access footage and review details on all campus projects, visit collegeofsanmateo.edu/construction .
In November 2001 San Mateo County voters passed Measure C, a $207 million bond measure for community college facility improvement. CSM is receiving a percentage of that amount. Those dollars, along with funding from redevelopment agencies, the state and donations, are being applied to several projects. Some have already been completed, such as upgrades to CSM’s infrastructure (water, sewer, power and data); improvements to the College’s child development center and Choral Room; abatement of hazardous materials; upgrades to parking lots and sidewalks; and, paid for by redevelopment agencies, installation of new football and baseball fields. Other projects are under construction, including CSM’s new Science Building, planetarium and observatory, which will be completed early next year. Other projects underway include seismic upgrading and modernization of campus buildings 1, 5, 6 and 18. To keep you informed over the next several years about ground breakings, ribbon cuttings and other renovation and construction events at the College, we will be distributing “CSM CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS NEWS FLASHES.”