Architects designing the West Fresno campus listened to feedback on their proposed layout from the Fresno City College community, during a charrette in Room 114 of the the Old Administration Building on Sept. 28.  

Participants reviewed the layout of the academic center, future campus buildings as well as the direction of the street driving into the campus parking lots. The majority expressed preference for the layout with a long walkway leading to the academic center next to the CTE building because of its resemblance to the main doors of the Old Administration Building at Fresno City College.

Before the exercise, FCC President Carole Goldsmith summarized how much work had been done in previous public and private council meetings. She said at least one CTE building, academic center, and one associate of arts degree program with option to transfer will be offered on the campus.

John Smith, one of the founders of SIM PBK, the architectural group that is designing the project, added that the group expects to start construction around July 2020 and complete most of the campus by 2021.

“Things can change throughout this process,” Smith said. “But this is the schedule that we are all shooting for.”

Attendees received blue and pink index cards to indicate their choice or make suggestions on changes for each section of the campus. The blue cards were used for schematic site plans — how the campus buildings would be placed on the site area, and the pink was for the image and aesthetics of the campus exterior.

The architects used these cards and feedback to decide which of the four site plans and two exterior options they would use for the new campus.

“I think it’s going to be huge especially for the southwest community,” Eric Forsythe of the Alvarado Group, a local commercial and residential housing company, said. “It is going to be a beacon of light for the community that has been really needing something for a long time.”

Forsythe’s words were echoed throughout. Many said the proposed campus, with its new and modern look, will bring attention to a neglected part of town. They made recommendations for the exterior of the buildings and small features like water fountains and social areas on campus.

Forsythe said, “I’m really excited for what’s going to happen.”