Introduction

The primary goals of the master plan are to support the college Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan through the physical development of its campuses. Guided by established Master Plan Principles that reflect overarching college values and goals, the following specific goals for this 2010 FMP update will endeavor to:

• Reflect the college’s values through its physical environment.
• Maintain the existing character, architecture, natural environment, and open spaces.
• Support the incorporation of sustainable opportunities in campus development.
• Promote the conservations of natural resources and energy in the construction, maintenance, and operation of buildings.
• Plan for maximum flexibility for adapting to the changing needs of education.
• Enhance the college’s connections to and with its communities through its physical plants.
• Anticipate and fulfill short-term instructional needs while planning for long-term academic programs.
• Avoid waste and disruption resulting from piecemeal projects.
• Establish realistic schedules and capital budgeting plans.
• Enhance fund raising and development opportunities by improving the image of the college in the community.
• Provide a healthy, safe, accessible place for learning.

The master plan established a series of physical objectives. These fall into the following general areas.

• New construction projects to be developed via the SBCTC funding process for growth, renovation, and replacement projects.
• New construction projects to be developed via the COP (certificate of participation) funding mechanism.
• Development of the northern end of the main campus including consideration of buildings, parking, college identity and gateway development.
• Main campus infrastructure improvements including parking, IT/Telecom, and lighting.
• Main campus environmental upgrades which will enhance the physical environment for students, the community, and its visitors, including signage, circulation, landscaping, smoking, diversity, and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Green River Community College has a long history of environmental awareness. The design of the recently completed Technology Center and the Marv Nelson Science Learning Center exemplifies the latest efforts to maximize the principles of "Green Architecture," the reduction of energy consumption, elimination of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and maximization of natural lighting systems. Locating both centers on the former track and field minimized the impact on surrounding vegetation. Although a LEEDs (U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification was not a specific goal, the target for both centers was a LEEDs Silver Rating.

During the 2005 legislative session, the governor signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5509, requiring state-funded projects over 5,000 s/f to be designed, constructed, and certified to at least the LEEDs Silver Rating.

Salish Hall, scheduled for completion in summer 2011 will be the first project on the main campus to apply for a LEED Silver Certification.

Consideration of the natural campus setting was foremost during all programming workshops as described by the following FMP sustainable design (Green Architecture) Principles:

• We will construct and maintain facilities that incorporate quality, sustainable design elements, enhance the GRCC experience, and effectively use space for all college functions.
• Our respect for the land will create a desire for all things to work together.
• We will strive to be ecologically responsible in all planning efforts.
• We will preserve and protect the natural environment of the campus through continuity of architecture and control/management of green and open spaces.

These workshops began with discussions regarding the physical presentation of the GRCC campus to the students and community it serves. A series of goals were developed as an aid to generating elements that will enhance not only the visual image of the college but also strengthen the general campus organization and service opportunities. This will result in a more user-friendly environment.

During the workshops, the committee discussed the relationships of the spaces with their associated programs and services. Appropriate locations on campus for growth, renovation, and replacement, and the areas available/ required at each location, were determined. A series of new capital construction projects is proposed and located such that the projects organizationally support the campus planning goals. See Project Timelines for specifics.

Design and construction funding for necessary substantive campus-wide infrastructure needs such as; campus utility loop construction; roadway and traffic improvements; mass transit/parking facilities, etc., are extremely difficult to obtain. It is essential that these needs be carefully planned and incorporated into the overall sequence of capital and master plan development. To the greatest extent appropriate, the costs of infrastructure needs shall be attached to specific building development projects in order to obtain the necessary funding though the normal funding mechanisms established by the SBCTC. See Development Program for specifics.