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Legislature approves capital outlay funding for Whiting Hall project
Michigan legislators Thursday approved Jackson Community College’s $21.9 million capital outlay project request to complete renovation and expansion of Justin Whiting Hall.
JCC’s project was one of 12 community college requests funded in this year’s budget. The Legislature awarded $275 million in total between community colleges, universities and state projects.
“I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude to the Legislature for advancing this important initiative for JCC and the communities we serve,” said JCC President Daniel J. Phelan. “The project will provide for the creation of 150 direct jobs and will have a local economic impact of $154 million, when using a standard rate multiplier.”
Phelan expressed his gratitude to local lawmakers Rep. Mike Simpson, Sen. Mark Schauer, Sen. Randy Richardville and Rep. Martin Griffin for their efforts to get the outlay spending approved.
“I would also like to thank all the individuals in this community who took the time to contact legislators at these crucial times,” Phelan said. “This is a huge win for Jackson County.”
Demolition will begin prior to Nov. 1, Phelan said, and will be on the fast track. Plans are for demolition and reconstruction of the entire east and west wings of Whiting Hall, as well as expansion of the west wing. Constructed in 1968, Justin Whiting Hall is comprised of nearly 100,000 square feet and while there has been a recent renovation to the center area of the building, a vast majority of the building needs to be totaled reduced to the bare walls and remodeled. Renovation will allow for expanding of nursing and allied health career programs and will include advanced classroom technologies, state-of-the-art instructional laboratories and related equipment and more.
