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Construction of the pending Center for the Arts delayed again, awaiting approval of plans by the Division of the State Architect.PCC officials said earlier this year they expected approval in late March.

“We might actually get approval this week,”said Richard P. van Pelt, interim vice president of administrative services, in a Monday email. “Considering the fact that [the plans] have been there for 17 months, we are only cautiously optimistic,” he said.

The new Center for the Arts is set to house both the Visual Arts & Media Studies and Performing/Communication Arts divisions. James Arnwine, dean of the performing/communication arts division says his staff has “been understanding” about the delay.

“Of course we’re disappointed that it’s delayed [but it is] no fault of anyone on campus,” said Arnwine. “Some things aren’t ideal, but we make it work.”

The majority of the performing arts classes have been moved to the V Building. Arnwine said they have fully moved in and can fare well in their current housing.

“We can thrive just as well as before,” he said. “A few of our rooms work better than what we had.”

Theory classes or more lecture-based classes have a more formal setting than the previous classes found in the K Building.

Some practice rooms in the V Building are also a bit more spacious than before, though acoustics are an issue, as these classrooms were not fitted to house instruments, said Arnwine.

Though the move was a challenge, Arnwine and the rest of the department are ready for the new buildings. “We’re anxious to see [construction] get going,” he said.

“Knowing the new buildings are coming” will make the wait worthwhile, he said.

According to van Pelt, should plans be approved this week, the process moves as follows: final review of the plans by PCC; advertising for the bid; a month of actual bidding; crosschecking bidders’ references; Board of Trustees approval; contractor mobilization; lastly, demolition.

“We are thinking that an August start (to construction) seems likely,” said van Pelt.

PCC is reported to have been ready to begin construction on the new facilities over a year ago. Construction would take about two years, according to PCC officials.

“There are still several projects that are in the pipeline, not least of which is the elevator installation/upgrade and restroom upgrade projects,” said van Pelt.

Elevator upgrades are to be done to the four in the R Building, two in the C and U Buildings, and one in both the D and E Buildings. Two new elevators will be installed on the north side of the W Building and the west side of the V Building.

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