South Bay voters put their faith in Southwestern College by approving Proposition Z, a $400 million construction bond, with 68.8 percent of the vote.
Money from the bond will be used to upgrade the college’s infrastructure and security, build new classrooms and complete a performing arts complex promised in an earlier bond. Proposition R, passed in 2016, was a $389 million bond partially consumed by corruption by previous college officials since convicted and removed from office.
Trustee Humberto Peraza said he was happy that the community passed the bond.
“We decided to put it on the ballot at the last second thinking the community would support it and we were right,” he said. “(This) bond is just what the college needs to rebuild itself and to put modern facilities in place.”
Roberto Alcantar, elected to replace Peraza in December, agreed.
“What we can see definitely happening getting a lot more money for our school to build the classrooms that we need and the facilities that we need to really make it the jewel of South Bay that we deserve,” he said.
Steve Padilla, Chula Vista Councilman-elect, said the bond was necessary. “(Southwestern) has come a long way in that it rebuilt the trust with the community,” he said. “It’s delivered on some of its more recent bond proceeds and capital projects, and you can see it with what’s under construction at the aquatic facility. It’s going to be beautiful I think.”
Padilla said SWC has been central in his life.
“I grew up across the street from Southwestern College,” he said. “I grew up there at a time when there was no 805, there was no Eastlake, there was no East H Street. It was just Southwestern College and some houses across the street. I’m very familiar with Southwestern. I went to Southwestern myself and I think that (bond) is a good thing for the district.”
Other Proposition Z projects will include a new student union complex and multi-level structures at the Higher Education Centers in San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.
A performing arts and cultural center is currently in design phase and will be the first project in place under the new bond, according to SWC officials.