(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  With a mini-convoy of student leaders poised for a ceremonial drive-through, close to 100 participants gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new 1,100-space Mesa College parking structure that was first conceived of 20 years ago. Since its physical opening on March 2, the structure has been given a "thumbs up" from the approximately 20,000 students who attend Mesa, where finding a place to park has been a perennial problem.

"This project is much more than 1,100 parking spaces," said Dr. Rita M. Cepeda, San Diego Mesa College President. "It is a marvel of architecture in an amazing marriage between utility and sound environmental design. It is also an example of determination, partnership and collaboration between the San Diego Community College District, our campus neighbors from Kearny Mesa, Clairemont and Linda Vista, taxpayers, and the San Diego City Council, most especially Councilmember Donna Frye who said 'yes' to the San Diego Community College District leadership and most important of all, "yes" to our students."

Councilmember Frye acknowledged the representatives and neighbors from District 6 who were in attendance. She reflected that "the building of the parking structure was not without controversy, but I am grateful to planning groups from both Linda Vista and Clairemont who worked cooperatively with the City Council and the District to come to a resolution that has worked out so well."
Chancellor Constance M. Carroll, who served as president of Mesa College from 1993 to 2005, saluted the vision of former Mesa College President Alan Brooks for conceiving of the parking structure project in 1989. She credited the hard work and perseverance of all involved.

"This is a great day of celebration for us. It's a day of thanks and it's a great day in the future of San Diego Mesa College," said Carroll.
"I represent the thousands of students who come to this college almost every day," said Sebastian Law, President of the Associated Student Government. "And I can tell you this means we are going to have better grades now. I can say that because teachers give quizzes the moment the class starts, and if you're looking for a parking spot, you're not in the classroom learning and preparing for your future."

Holding up an oversized student parking permit with a rendering of a parking ticket on the other side, Board of Trustees President Rich Grosch tore it in half and announced to students "your hunt is over."
"We know many of you have dashed to class only to be late, and then dashed back to your car only to find a parking ticket because you didn't have time to continue the hunt," he said. "No more!"

The new parking structure is part of an overall $34 million East Campus Improvement Project that includes a complete road realignment and new east campus entry, along with a 7,000 square-foot police substation. Once completed this summer, the police station facility is expected to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy Design (LEED) program with a LEED Silver - one of only a few LEED-certified public safety facilities in San Diego County. The east gateway entrance will also include the new Allied Health Building, a $24.9 million project expected to be completed this fall.

Both projects are funded through Proposition S, a $685 million construction bond passed by San Diego voters in 2002. Combined with Proposition N, an $870 million bond passed in 2006, the $1.555 construction bond program will provide for new buildings, major renovations and campuswide infrastructure projects at three colleges, City, Mesa and Miramar, and six Continuing Education campuses.

Architects Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker, a San Diego-based firm, was commissioned by the San Diego Community College District to provide full architectural services for the project. Barnhart, Inc., a Heery International Company, served as contractor. Gafcon, Inc. serves as program manager for Propositions S and N.