Phase II Completed in Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center Renovation

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College held a celebration on Feb. 2 to mark the completion of phase two in the transformation of the former brownfield site at 140 College Drive, Pottstown, into a thriving community resource.

Through a unique partnership between MCCC and the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area (SRHA) the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center will help to support local and regional revitalization plans by serving as a hub for education, culture, recreation and conservation.

“We’re proud of the College’s unique partnership with the Schuylkill River Heritage Area – a partnership that we believe to be the first of its kind in the nation,” said President Dr. Karen A. Stout.  “We’re already exploring the joint programming possibilities between our two organizations – such as non-credit courses that run the gamut from historical perspectives of the region, to lessons in kayaking and bicycle maintenance.”

The expansion supports unprecedented enrollment growth at its West Campus, which has increased by more than 60 percent over the past five years. Recently, Community College Week ranked the West Campus as 15th among the fastest growing community college campuses of similar size in the country.

The Center also advances the College’s strategic commitment to sustainability, symbolized during the celebration by cutting a green ribbon.

“The ribbon is a symbol of the sustainable nature of this project—its construction, programming and ties to the river. Inside, students will learn in high-tech classrooms, while outside the river and its surroundings will serve as a natural tool to enhance teaching and learning,” said Dr. Stout.

When completed, the Center will house College’s growing Environmental Science degree program, which will utilize outdoor learning spaces in addition to the facility’s four SMART classrooms and state-of-the-art science laboratory. It will also support expanded courses in geology, geography and geographic information systems at a time when industry demand for these skills continues to grow.

The Center will also include an Interpretative Center, facilitated by the SRHA. Here, guests can learn about the history of the Schuylkill River – from its significance in Colonial times and during the Industrial Revelation, to the more recent development of its trail systems. Interpretative Center installation will begin in March, and has been funded, to date, by the National Park Service, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Martin Foundation, National Penn Bank, and members of the SRHA Board of Directors.

Completed in January, phase two of the project focused on renovations to the building’s deteriorating infrastructure. The building’s aged, leaking roof was replaced with an eco-friendly green roof; a new entrance and handicap-accessible ramp were constructed; and energy efficient windows were installed. Other Phase II work included updating water and sewer service and the cleaning and abatement of asbestos.

Phase one of the project was completed in March 2010 and included the decontamination and renovation of the Center’s 202-vehicle parking lot, which is currently used by the College’s students and by visitors to Riverfront Park. The lot features LED lighting and more than 130 trees, shrubs and bushes, making the area both aesthetically pleasing and sustainable.

Phases one and two were generously funded through a combination of public and private support, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Redevelopment Capital Program, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Block Development Grants, National Penn Bank, and private contributions made to the College’s Foundation.

The College is ready to begin work on the third and final phase of the project as soon as funding becomes available. These renovations will focus on the building’s interior, including the designing and furnishing the Interpretative Center, laboratory, classrooms, offices and student spaces.

A variety of sponsorship and funding opportunities are available to help bring the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center project to fruition. To learn more, visit www.mc3.edu/giving or call the College’s Foundation at 215-641-6535.

“By investing in the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, you are investing in the economic prosperity of our community; in the education of future scientists, geologists historians, and geographers; and in the transformative impact that nature has on thousands of children and adults for generations to come,” Dr. Stout encouraged.

Cutting the ribbon on phase II of the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center are (from left) Foundation Board Member Jack Koury, Board of Trustees Chairman Michael D’Aniello, President Dr. Karen Stout, and Senator John Rafferty. Photo by Dawn Deppi

Phase II Work Continues at 140 College Drive

by Alana J. Mauger

Phase I of the project saw the renovation on the parking lot. The facility is pictured in the background.

As residents of Pottstown and its surrounding communities head to the Schuylkill River and its trails for recreation this summer, they will see a flurry of activity at 140 College Drive – the future home of the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center.

Montgomery County Community College is currently in phase II of the renovation that will transform the facility, commonly referred to as “the old PECO building,” into a state-of-the-art educational center. Phase II work includes improvements to the building’s infrastructure and exterior envelope, including the installation of sustainable features that will support LEED certification.

Specifically, phase II will include replacement of the building’s aged, leaking roof with an eco-friendly green roof, along with the installation of energy efficient windows. A new entrance and handicap-accessible ramp will also be created. Phase II work is slated for completion in September.

When funding becomes available, phase III work will focus on the building’s interior, including the development of classrooms, offices and student spaces. A variety of sponsorship and funding opportunities are available to help bring the proposed Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center to fruition. To learn more, visit http://www.mc3.edu/giving or call the College’s Foundation at 215-641-6535.

The completed Center will provide space for four college classrooms equipped with SMART technology, a state-of-the-art laboratory that will support the College’s Environmental Science degree program, and an interpretive center that will provide educational, historic and tourist information about the Schuylkill River Heritage Area (SRHA).

In May 2010, the College completed phase I of the project by renovating the site’s parking lot. Renovations included removing contaminated soil, installing underground drainage facilities, adding clean fill, installing a blacktop cap to protect the groundwater table, and constructing three bio-retention basins to capture stormwater runoff. Installation of LED lighting and the placement of more than 130 trees, shrubs and bushes make the lot more sustainable.

The building at 140 College Drive served the Pottstown community as an electrical generating station starting in 1911.  After sitting vacant for a number of years, the building and three-acre site were purchased by the Borough of Pottstown. The College secured ownership of the site in April 2009, and enjoys a unique partnership with the SRHA, which leases office space in the building.

National Penn Bank Donates $20,000 to Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center Development

by Alana J. Mauger

National Penn Bank presented a $20,000 check Thursday to the Schuylkill River Heritage Area (SRHA) and Montgomery County Community College  to support of the development of the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center in Pottstown.

The new center will be housed in the 140 College Drive building that currently serves as the SRHA headquarters. The building sits along the Schuylkill River Trail, and beside Riverfront Park.

The project will expand the College’s West Campus by transforming the three-acre Brownfield site into a state-of-the-art educational facility. The Center will house three classrooms equipped with SMART technology; a state-of-the-art laboratory that will support the College’s Environmental Science degree program, and a new SRHA Interpretive Center.

“Because of the generous support from donors like National Penn Bank, our ability to start phase one of the project is enhanced,” said College President Dr. Karen A. Stout. “We hope that this gift will help us to build momentum for the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, which is important for the economic development of the Pottstown Borough and for the health of the Schuylkill River.”

Phase one of the project, anticipated to conclude by fall 2011, includes renovating the infrastructure of the currently unused portion of the building and developing the Interpretive Center in what is currently being used as the SRHA’s conference room.

“The Interpretative Center will provide educational, historic and tourist information about the Schuylkill River Heritage Area,” said SRHA Executive Director Kurt Zwikl. “It is intended to serve as a visitors’ center for the entire Schuylkill River region, and will include interactive displays and a historical overview of the river’s role in the American, Industrial and Environmental Revolutions.”

The Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center will also allow for joint programming between the College and the SRHA, with non-credit courses that promote awareness of the river as a historical, cultural and natural resource. Such courses will run the gamut from historical perspectives of the region, to lessons in kayaking and bicycle maintenance.

“As an active member of our communities, National Penn is pleased to support this unique partnership which will allow the students of MCCC to learn more about the Schuylkill River, thus continuing their education through this innovative learning experience,” said David B. Kennedy, National Penn Group Executive.

According to Dr. Stout, the development of the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center is necessary to support new programs to allow the West Campus to grow.

“West Campus enrollment has grown by more than 16 percent since 2009 and currently stands at approximately 3,000 unduplicated credit students. Non-credit enrollment also continues to increase at the West Campus, serving approximately 2,500 community residents annually,” she said.

Previously owned by PECO Energy, the building at 140 College Drive served the Pottstown community as an electrical generating station starting in 1911.  After sitting vacant for a number of years, the building and three-acre site were purchased by the Borough of Pottstown. The College secured ownership of the site in April 2009, and enjoys a partnership with the SRHA, which leases office space in the building.

Designed to be sustainable, the College will seek LEED certification for the Center and will look to incorporate a variety of sustainable adaptations, such as a green roof and geothermal energy sources, that can serve as both a tool for teaching and learning and as an energy and cost-savings alternative.

A variety of sponsorship and funding opportunities are available to help bring the proposed Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center to fruition. To learn more, visit www.mc3.edu/giving or call the College’s Foundation at 215-641-6535.

Pictured (from left) SRHA Executive Director Kurt Zwikl; National Penn Group Executive Vice President David B. Kennedy; National Penn Senior Vice President, Director of Commerce Banking, Central Region Barbara H. Pattison; National Penn Senior Vice President, Director of Retail Banking James P. Ferry; College President Dr. Karen A. Stout. Photo by Dawn Deppi

TD Charitable Foundation Supports ‘Green STEM’ Program for Pottstown Area Youth

Summer program compliments the College’s Environmental Science degree and development of Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center.

by Alana J. Mauger

The College’s Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, in support of a new Green STEM summer program, titled “How Scientists View the Environment,” for 20 disadvantaged middle school youth from the Pottstown and surrounding areas.

The program compliments the College’s efforts around environmental education and the development of the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, which is located across the street from the West Campus’ South Hall at 140 College Drive.

Summer program participants will benefit from the faculty expertise and facilities that are a unique part of the College’s Environmental Science degree program. Introduced in 2008, the Associate in Science (A.S.) program prepares students for transfer to a four-year college or university in preparation for high- demand careers in such areas as ecology, hydrology, air and water quality compliance, regional planning and interpretive education in the private, governmental and non-profit sectors.

A state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to environmental studies will be housed in the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center once funding is secured and the project is completed. The facility will also include several additional classrooms and an interpretive center that will provide educational, historic and tourist information about the Schuylkill River Heritage Area (SRHA).

Designed to be sustainable, the College will seek LEED certification for the Center and will look to incorporate a variety of sustainable adaptations, such as a green roof and geothermal energy sources, that can serve as both a tool for teaching and learning and as an energy and cost-savings alternative.

More information on the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, including giving and sponsorship opportunities, is available at mc3.edu/giving.

Participants in the Green STEM summer program will have the unique opportunity to visit the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center and to learn about the restoration of a historic landmark as well as the technology and science behind the development of a green building.

During the five-day program, students will also be introduced to the basic concepts of scientific methodology and data analysis through hands-on activities and experiments. The students will work with faculty from a variety of STEM fields, including biology, chemistry, geology and mathematics. Each activity will focus on an environmental issue relevant to the local community, and the students will present their findings and recommendations during a poster session at the conclusion of the program.

“At TD Bank, building strong communities where our employees, customers and other stakeholders live and work is a priority for us, which is why we’re happy to support the new Green STEM summer program,” said Geoffrey Brandon, Regional Vice President, TD Bank.

According to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, students in the United States are shying away from careers in science and technology in part because of inadequate high school science preparation. The gap becomes greater for students who live in lower socio-economic areas. In the Borough of Pottstown, approximately 16 percent of residents and 13 percent of families live below the federal poverty level, and the per capita income is just over half that of the county.

“At the end of the week, students will leave the Green STEM program with a thorough understanding of how the scientific process works, specifically as applied to pertinent environmental issues,” said Andrew Ippolito, interim dean of Math, Science and Advanced Technology at the College. “The students will have an understanding that science is process that is used every day, involves creative and imaginative skills, and has a social component. They will also develop a perspective on their role toward helping to protect and sustain the environment for future generations to enjoy.”

Pictured at the check presentation in the Biology laboratory at the West Campus are (from left) Interim Dean of Math Science and Advanced Technology Andrew Ippolito, Director of Dual Enrollment Initiatives Cheryl Taylor-Mearhoff, Chemistry Instructor Janet Graden, College President Dr. Karen A. Stout, TD Bank Blue Bell Branch Manager Pat Owens, Biology Associate Professor and Green STEM summer program Director David Gonzales, and TD Bank Regional Vice President Geoffrey Brandon. Photo by John Welsh

Celebrate the Schuylkill River at Annual Festival

by Diane VanDyke

Come and enjoy a day full of art, music, food and information at the 4th annual Schuylkill River Festival on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park and College Drive, Pottstown.

The festival features an assortment of family activities for all ages, including games, crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a moon bounce. Visitors can also enjoy a walk along the park’s pathway or do some fishing, biking, canoeing, kayaking or geocaching.

As part of the annual community event, Montgomery County Community College will be hosting an open house at its West Campus for the public to visit, talk with faculty and staff, and learn about the programs and educational opportunities.

Visitors can stop by the College’s Gallery in North Hall, 16 W. High Street, to see the annual “Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area” juried art show and sale, which has 67 original pieces of artwork on display.

Artwork and crafts of local artists and artisans will also be on display and for sale at Riverfront Park, along with a regional wildlife exhibit, cultural exhibits, environmental displays and tables about local civic organizations.

Live music will be held at the Downey Amphitheatre stage from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the free entertainment featuring:  Monica McIntyre from 11 a.m. to noon; Pat Wictor from noon to 1 p.m.; John Flynn from 1 to 2 p.m.; Neighbor Poem from 2 to 3 p.m.; and Hope Machine from 3 to 4 p.m.

An array of food to please any palate will be available for purchase throughout the day.

In addition to the College, event sponsors include the Borough of Pottstown, Exelon Energy, the Pottstown Mercury, The Gallery School, and Preservation Pottstown. For more information about sponsoring an activity or the event, call 610-718-1847.