The buzz of commercial power tools and the presence of orange triangular-shaped safety flags are common sights and sounds throughout Georgia Perimeter College campuses these days.

GPC is in the midst of a restoration and construction boom—one that Lewis Godwin says will bring multiple building, aesthetic and safety improvements for faculty, staff and students on Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur and Dunwoody campuses. Godwin manages the college’s facilities planning and projects and explains that, due to the relative newness of GPC-Newton, it is the only campus not receiving any upgrades or changes.

The swell of activity began this summer after project approvals from Georgia Perimeter’s president and vice presidents. According to Godwin, students were at the forefront of every decision.

“We asked various questions, such as what will students see, touch and feel on a daily basis? Does it give them a place to hang out and feel good about where they are and meet with classmates and talk about an upcoming project and stay on campus?” Godwin says of the selection thought process.

Consequently, a number of endeavors are dedicated to renovating quad areas on Clarkston, Decatur and Dunwoody campuses. Godwin describes the Dunwoody quad as having “a case of the uglies” and being underutilized by students. The new model will include lots of seating areas, landscaping and an upgraded stairwell leading from the adjoining student center.

Several quads are getting improvements and upgrades on Clarkston, including the original one located just outside the campus gymnasium. Part of the plan includes bringing a defunct feature back to life.

“We are going to restore the fountain … there will be water coming out,” Godwin says.

In addition, quads on both Clarkston and Decatur will host outdoor classrooms, granite walls and new seating areas.

Student Meshauna Harvey is looking forward to spending time in the Decatur quad.

“It sounds nice,” the 20-year-old criminal justice major says.

Other key projects include a Clarkston Campus tennis court renovation and health clinic expansion that will comprise more exam rooms and a larger lab space and waiting area. A multi-phase project entails upgrades to the Clarkston Student Service Center “to increase efficiency and improve services to students,” Godwin says.

Contractors are building a modular student health center at Dunwoody. At Alpharetta, the student study area is getting a makeover, along with additional classrooms and faculty cubicles for the campus.

Earlier this semester, Decatur’s student center got a facelift, and the library received new carpet and furniture over the summer.

Sidewalks at Dunwoody, Decatur and Clarkston are getting special attention too.

“We’ve gone around the campuses and identified broken and cracked sidewalks, which can be tripping hazards,” Godwin says. “We’ve taken those up and re-poured new concrete.”

Lighting improvements also are a priority. “We went around at night and surveyed the campuses and identified areas that needed exterior lighting—safety is the focus here,” Godwin explains.

Sheryll Cheek, with the enrollment management office at Clarkston Campus, admits that maneuvering around all the construction zones for the past several months hasn’t been easy.

“From day to day, we don’t know where we’re stepping,” she says. “But, aesthetically and functionally, I think it will be worth the inconvenience.”

Godwin estimates all construction projects will be completed by December.