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Ground was formally broken Friday for what will be a new home for the Taft College Center for Independent Living.
The ceremony was conducted on the site where groundwork has been going on for more than a month.
Staff and students in the program that trains young adults with mild intellectual disabilities to live on their own are anxious about moving into their new home once it is completed just over a year from now.
“We’re excited about moving the TIL program into the 21st century with modern dorms and smart classrooms,” said Jeff Ross, who directs student support services at TC and is the father of the TIL program.
“This new center won’t just house the TIL program, but will be used for teacher training and curriculum development. Taft College has become a national leader in the field.” Spurred by Ross and then-Supt./Pres. Willy Duncan, Congress approved legislation and funding to create similar programs across the nation.
South Korea has embarked on a similar project modeled after TIL.
Last year, TIL received the prestigious Dr. John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award from the California Community College Board of Governors.
It was presented by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. The award was named after her father, who served on the Board of Governors.
Jose Vargas of AP Architects said the project is on schedule.
“We’re currently on schedule,” he said. “They’re finishing up work on under-grounding the electrical system. We’re still on target for completion by the end of 2012.”
Over the holiday break, he said, the parking lot will be finished.
The TIL Center footprint impinges on Emmons Park Drive, which was closed to through traffic.
In all, the college will gain about 100 new parking spaces.
“We’re very excited about this project,” Vargas said.
The $12.5 million in construction costs is being paid for primarily with $10.5 million from the state plus a $2 million federal grant.
About $726,000 has been earmarked for the project from the college district’s Measure A bond issue, and additional funding from private sources is expected to push the cost of the total project to around $15 million.
The TIL Center is another major component of TC’s ambitious 10-year $100 million construction and remodeling program.
Most of the funding comes from state school bonds. The college’s “match” comes from a $40 million bond approved by local voters in 2004.
Ground was formally broken Friday for what will be a new home for the Taft College Center for Independent Living.
The ceremony was conducted on the site where groundwork has been going on for more than a month.
Staff and students in the program that trains young adults with mild intellectual disabilities to live on their own are anxious about moving into their new home once it is completed just over a year from now.
“We’re excited about moving the TIL program into the 21st century with modern dorms and smart classrooms,” said Jeff Ross, who directs student support services at TC and is the father of the TIL program.
“This new center won’t just house the TIL program, but will be used for teacher training and curriculum development. Taft College has become a national leader in the field.” Spurred by Ross and then-Supt./Pres. Willy Duncan, Congress approved legislation and funding to create similar programs across the nation.
South Korea has embarked on a similar project modeled after TIL.
Last year, TIL received the prestigious Dr. John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award from the California Community College Board of Governors.
It was presented by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. The award was named after her father, who served on the Board of Governors.
Jose Vargas of AP Architects said the project is on schedule.
“We’re currently on schedule,” he said. “They’re finishing up work on under-grounding the electrical system. We’re still on target for completion by the end of 2012.”
Over the holiday break, he said, the parking lot will be finished.
The TIL Center footprint impinges on Emmons Park Drive, which was closed to through traffic.
In all, the college will gain about 100 new parking spaces.
“We’re very excited about this project,” Vargas said.
The $12.5 million in construction costs is being paid for primarily with $10.5 million from the state plus a $2 million federal grant.
About $726,000 has been earmarked for the project from the college district’s Measure A bond issue, and additional funding from private sources is expected to push the cost of the total project to around $15 million.
The TIL Center is another major component of TC’s ambitious 10-year $100 million construction and remodeling program.
Most of the funding comes from state school bonds. The college’s “match” comes from a $40 million bond approved by local voters in 2004.
