NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College broke ground on Monday, April 29, for the highly-anticipated Facilities Management Building and Mary Maloney Boulevard. In an event threading together past achievement, present ceremony, and future endeavors, trustees, board chairs, executives, and county officials alike bore witness to the initial stages of the $16.4 million project, slated for completion by May 2025.
Much excitement surrounds this construction. The blueprint falls into two distinct yet highly synergetic components: a second entrée to the college via Mary Maloney Boulevard and a maintenance support site in the form of the Facilities Management Building. The latter, a 16,000-square-foot structure, boasts an architectural design that fuses high-bay open-ceiling shops and storage bays with an administrative core.
With sustainability an ever-pressing concern, the innovative building aims to achieve LEED Silver Certification, a recognition awarded to projects that demonstrate a commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable construction practices. The edifice will settle in the northern end of the college’s property, neighboring the Cecil College Foundation’s offices.
To construct such an environmentally friendly building, the selection of materials is crucial. A blend of concrete slab, CMU block, and structural steel, alongside pre-engineered insulated metal wall panels, and a membrane roofing system, will assemble this beacon of sustainable prowess. Once completed, the structure will house an array of services, spanning from maintenance and grounds shops to custodial operations and administrative operations.
The second component of the project, Mary Maloney Boulevard, has been designed to serve a strategic purpose. Situated just south of Gilpin’s Falls Covered Bridge off Route 272, the boulevard will significantly escalate accessibility to Cecil College. The new thoroughfare not only ensures a second route to the campus but also improves accessibility to the upper parking lots and athletic fields, enhancing overall campus connectivity with a lighted walkway adjacent to the new road.
The further intention behind Mary Maloney Boulevard is a poignant tribute to a notable Maryland woman, Mary Maloney. In 1970, Maloney broke through barriers, becoming the first female county commissioner in Maryland. Well-known for her unyielding determination and significant contributions, Maloney earns this tribute for her enduring influence on Cecil College and her legacy of empowerment and progress that the institution continues to uphold.
This dual project of construction aims to be a turning point for Cecil College. With approximately 2,200 credit students and 2,700 continuing education students, the college, by embarking on this ambitious project, is displaying its commitment to providing modern services and enhanced accessibility for all.
These improvements aren’t just superficial. They reveal a persistent endeavor to adapt and evolve in the face of changing times and needs. With anticipation and hope, faculty, students, and the Cecil College community await the completion of this project, excited to witness how this new chapter will unfold the college’s story of growth, innovation, and commitment to sustainability and accessibility.
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