Washburn Institute of Technology East Campus will soon have more space on the second floor.
Washburn University President Julian Mazacek said leaders plan to use university funds to build the second floor of the 2014 Washburn Tech East Building in Southeast Washington.
“During the legislative session last year, our technical college, the Washburn College of Professional Studies, received an allocation of $1.5 million in capital investment funding for Washburn Polytechnic Institute,” Mazacek said. “And after reviewing our programs and the areas where we need to grow and where we think there is extreme need, we are asking you today to invest those funds into Washburn Tech East.” doing.”
Mazacek and Washburn Polytechnic Institute President Scott Smathers submitted the plan Wednesday to a joint economic development organization made up of Shawnee County commissioners and Topeka City Council members.
What will be included in the Washburn Technical College East Campus addition?
“Initially, this addition will provide meeting space within the facility as well as additional capacity for high school equivalency (GED) degree training and English language acquisition training,” Smathers told the Capital Journal. told. “Looking to the future, this development will also provide additional classroom capacity should resources become available to develop laboratory space and acquire the equipment needed for additional CTE programs.” It will be done.”
The second-floor addition will include classrooms, conference rooms and student areas.
“The way we’ve designed this is really to be as flexible as possible, because over time, needs and programs change, and to meet those needs,” Mazacek said. We need to be able to modify the space so that we can do that.” . ”
The project is expected to cost $1.2 million, with design provided by HTK Architects. The builder will be Kelly Construction.
The Washburn Tech East facility was developed through a partnership with Washburn Tech, GO Topeka, JEDO, and the East Topeka community. It was officially opened in June 2019.
When will the addition be completed?
Mazacek said conversations to begin planning the construction schedule will begin almost immediately.
“We will begin work as soon as possible,” Mazacek told JEDO leaders. “We look forward to showing you the new space once it’s completed.”
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Keishera Lately is a business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.