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Overview

The Science, Mathematics and Technology (SMT) Building was an early facility constructed on the Green River Community College Campus in 1974. It was later renamed "Cedar Hall." In the late-2000s, the building was deemed by administrators to have been "...no longer able to meet the needs of the college, students and educational programs." (See Green River Community College, "Project Details: Cedar Hall," accessed 03/29/2016.) A large-scale, $19.5-million renovation on Cedar Hall occurred between 2011 and 2013.

Building Notes

In 2013, Cedar Hall accommodated classrooms, the Natural Resources Department, the Math Learning Center and Early Childhood Education in addition to the offices of two deans, that of the Dean of Instruction for the Trades and Technology Divisions and the Dean of Instruction for Professional/Technical and Workforce Education, and the Workforce Education staff.

Alteration

Cedar Hall underwent a wholesale remodeling supervised by Seattle-based S.M. Stemper, Architects, PLLC, collaborating with the Tacoma firm of Construction Enterprises and Contractors, Incorporated (CE & C). The CE & C web site stated of the project in 2016: "After completing several renovations for the College, CE&C was awarded the challenge to selectively demolish an existing three story, 54,000 square foot concrete classroom building, which included selectively removing slabs of concrete roof. We then installed an interior steel frame structure and rebuilt the classrooms. The access to the building was reconfigured with the main entrance being reconstructed and the building exterior being resided." (See CE & C, "Higher Education: Green River Community College Cedar Hall," accessed 03/29/2016.)

The Green River Community College web site enumerated the 5 major renovation updates needed by Cedar Hall. These included: 1.) Added space and updated types of facilities. The college stated: "Square footage will be increased and designed to provide optimal space for program consolidation, right size classrooms and added technology infrastructure for current and future growth." 2.) Improved fire safety measures. The college indicated that "...Additional fire suppression sprinklers will be installed throughout the facility and the fire-alarm system will be upgraded." 3.) Compliance with ADA requirements. The American with Disabilities Act, first passed in 1990, had the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) enacted by Congress in 2008, (taking effect 01/01/2009). According to the ADA Network: "The ADAAA made a number of significant changes to the definition of “disability.” The changes in the definition of disability in the ADAAA apply to all titles of the ADA, including Title I (employment practices of private employers with 15 or more employees, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor unions, agents of the employer and joint management labor committees); Title II (programs and activities of state and local government entities); and Title III (private entities that are considered places of public accommodation). Green River's administration had to meet the new amendment's requirements: "The SMT Building was built before ADA became law and does not provide code-compliant access for non-ambulatory persons. All entrances, hallways and pathways serving building entries will be ADA compliant." 4.) Lower energy usage. Green River aimed at achieving a LEED Silver rating for Cedar Hall: "There is no thermal insulation in the exterior walls, most of the exterior windows are single-pane and the window frames have no thermal break. The HVAC systems are grossly inefficient causing a tremendous waste of energy. This will be addressed by adding exterior insulation, replacing windows and upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system." 5.) Updated utilities. Current standards for electrical infrastructure to support a spectrum of computers developed after 1974 had to be met, and heating, plumbing and air conditioning systems required overhauling: "The HVAC, plumbing and power systems installed during original construction are past their useful life and require replacement. Out-of-date and worn-out utility support systems will be replaced and upgraded." (See Green River Community College, "Project Details: Cedar Hall," accessed 03/29/2016.)

The State of Washington contributed $17.4 million of the $19.5 million total, with Green River coming up with the remaining $2.1 million. Construction work began in 12/2011, and was completed in mid-2013. Administrators and faculty moved into Cedar Hallon 06/11/2013.

PCAD id: 20086