The design for the quad between Clarkston’s CC and CD buildings allows students and faculty free access to connecting walks and building entrances. It also takes advantage of existing trees and buildings to create a shady, colorful, woodland outdoor room with seating options for one student, a small group or an entire class. (Illustration by Anderson Design, Inc.)

by Kysa Anderson Daniels

Health center space, a restored fountain as well as sidewalk, lighting and landscape improvements are among the multiple projects soon to be completed on four Georgia Perimeter College campuses.

Thanks to a summer and fall filled with restoration and construction projects, faculty, staff and students will enjoy a wide range of safety, aesthetic and building improvements.

The swell of activity on Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur and Dunwoody campuses began in summer after project plans were approved by Georgia Perimeter’s executive team. Students were at the forefront of every decision, says Lewis Godwin, GPC facilities planning and projects manager.

“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 thought process used in planning the projects.

Quad renovations topped the list, with several on Clarkston Campus receiving improvements and upgrades, including the original quad just outside the campus gymnasium. The plan also includes bringing a defunct feature back to life.

From left, Jonathan McPherson, Travis Sherlock and Jimmy Haffa work to position lighting at the Clarkston quad, one of multiple projects undertaken. (Photo by Bill Roa)

“We are going to restore the fountain … there will be water coming out,” Godwin says about the fountain in Clarkston’s original quad.

Fresh landscaping, new seating areas and outdoor classrooms are among other campus-wide quad enhancements.

Additional projects include a Clarkston Campus health center expansion, tennis court renovation and a multi-phase project to upgrade the Clarkston Student Service Center. The service center improvements will “increase efficiency and improve services to students,” Godwin says.

Contractors built a modular student health center at Dunwoody, the doors to which officially opened in early November. At Alpharetta, the student study area is getting a makeover, and additional classrooms and faculty cubicles are being provided on campus.

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

A variety of seating will be available in the quad between Clarkston’s CC and CD buildings. (Photo by Bill Roa)

Lighting and sidewalks at Dunwoody, Decatur and Clarkston have been improved and repaired so as to maximize safety and minimize tripping hazards.

Sheryll Cheek with the enrollment management office at Clarkston Campus admits that maneuvering around all the construction zones for the past several months has not 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.