CPCC tops out new building

The first of several construction projects at Central Piedmont Community College‘s Cato Campus had its “topping out” ceremony Monday morning.

“Topping out” refers to placing the last beam atop a structure during its first construction phase.

The 85,000-square-foot building will house a new campus library, a 150-seat auditorium, a 2,000-square-foot horticulture design lab and general classrooms and computer labs.

“We’ve completely outgrown this campus, and this building could not be coming at a better time,” said Central Piedmont Community College President Dr. Tony Zeiss.

He also said the college’s Cato campus is experiencing the fastest growth rate of its six locations. The campus currently serves 12,000 students and 135 employees.

Representatives from the contractor, Rodgers Builders, and the designer, Little Diversified Consulting, as well as those representing the college attended the event.

The ceremony marks 10 months of work on the building, which is scheduled to open to students in the spring semester of 2016.

This building represents $23 million of the allotted $210 million bond package that was approved by Mecklenburg County voters in November 2013.