Jul 31, 2023

During the July 24 regularly scheduled College of the Mainland (COM) Board of Trustees (BOT) monthly meeting, the College presented initial steps taken to kick off projects for the $250 million general obligation bond, which voters approved during the recent May election. College leaders provided an overview of the closed-bid process that occurred to identify architects for planned bond projects.

Fifteen architectural firms submitted responses to the College Request for Proposal (RFP), and seven were invited to present their proposals in person. COM Project Management firm, Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, Inc. (LAN) presented scopes, estimated costs and assigned architects for each project at the BOT meeting. The BOT approved the College moving forward with the selected architectural firms and projects.

The following firms were selected for 2023 bond projects:

  • Joiner Architects for Architectural Services for the design of the Industrial Education Building renovation
  • Joiner Architects for the Architectural Services for the design of the Welding Building addition/renovation
  • RDLR Architects for the Architectural Services for the design of the new Public Services Center
  • Cannon Design, Inc., for the Architectural Services for the design of the new Library Classroom Building

Additionally, the following firm was selected for a project using remaining 2018 bond funds:

  • Joiner Architects for the Architectural Services for the design of a complete interior classrooms to offices buildout on Level 4 of the Science, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) building

“This last May, COM received the voter’s approval with the passage of its $250 million general obligation bond,” said Warren Nichols, president of College of the Mainland. “As we move forward with these bond projects, community members should be assured that the College will keep them informed throughout and that their bond dollars are being used responsibly, just like we did with the 2018 bond. We’re excited for this next chapter of COM and the impact these new buildings will have for years to come for our students and community at-large.”

The COM 2023 bond will allow the College to complete its 10 year-master facilities plan, which seeks to update and/or replace a significant percentage of the 57+-year-old, aging facilities at the Main campus. In 2018, COM successfully passed a $162.5 million general obligation bond, in which every project has been completed on time and under budget. Detailed information about the 2023 general obligation bond can be found at compass2025.com.

Also, during the July 24 meeting, the BOT voted 5-0 to cease discussions with JMK5 Holdings LLC pertaining to the proposed purchase of the Mainland City Centre building currently being used by the COM Cosmetology, Barbering and Lifelong Learning programs. JMK5 Holdings LLC CEO and Founder Jerome Karam presented a purchase proposal to the COM BOT at the start of its July 14 Budget Workshop.

Following the July 24 meeting, the trustees convened to executive session to discuss the proposal. Upon the conclusion of the executive session, the trustees returned and voted 5-0 to cease discussions regarding and purchase of the property. Trustee Kyle Dickson abstained from this vote, and Trustee Henson was not present.