Cuesta has gotten the final go-ahead for construction on the Library Expansion and Reconstruction project from the State’s General Services Department.

This $13.5 million, 49,617 square foot addition to the college’s main library on the San Luis Obispo Campus reconstructs the existing Library/Administration Building, addressing a critical shortage of space for the library and Student Services. It provides space for a Curriculum Innovation Center and the District’s Main Data Processing Center, along with office space for the Health Center, Instructional Services, Employee Learning and Innovation Center, Computer Services and General Services. State funding through lease revenue bonds has been secured.

The complex project involves three separate stages: (1) redirection of voice and data transmission from the campus’ main distribution frame in the library, (2) construction of the expansion and (3) relocations – moving Student Services into the new offices of the library expansion while their original offices are being remodeled, then moving them back when the remodeling is done. The other departments mentioned above will then occupy the new offices.

The bidding process for construction is expected to begin in December, with a final decision slated for the February Board of Trustees meeting. Following that, the construction timeline is expected to be approximately two years.