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A construction workers operates his heavy machine as he works on the ground of the future Math, Science and Engineering Building. Photo by Cristofer Garcia/Staff

As Proposition R funds dwindle, Southwestern College is banking on a $400 million bond on the November ballot to finish its ambitious construction plans.Tim Flood, vice president of financial affairs, said the bond would help pay for $466 million of capital needs for construction costs, including a long-promised performing arts center.

“We weren’t sure if we were going to have the funding in Prop R to be able to do (the performing arts center),” he said. “If we were able to marry (Proposition R funds) with Prop Z funds, we know we’ll be able to get to (as well as) the public safety building without a delay.”

Flood said the college needs $383 million to complete its Facilities Master Plan. Remaining funds would be used for other construction projects.

“It’s really a short time frame and it’s kind of a crunch but the reason we’re doing this is we felt it will allow us to keep the momentum,” he said. “It allows us to continue (and) just keep going project to project.”

Flood said it would be cost effective for taxpayers to pass a bond now because delays would cause construction costs to increase due to inflation.

A 55 percent vote is required by those voting on the measure for it to pass. A spring poll reported that about 7 out of 10 district voters said they would support the bond. Homeowners would pay up to $25 per $100,000 of their assessed property values.

Interim President Robert Deegan said Southwestern College needs the bond.

“I’m very optimistic that the bond will pass,” he said. “It’s $400 million to allow us to complete the facilities master plan and there’s a lot of work that still needs to be done. The buildings here have been well maintained, but many of them are 50-plus years old and they need to be updated.”

Flood said if voters pass Proposition Z the college would be able to finish up a big part of its construction plans.

“Our estimate was about $466 million to do the types of things we want,” he said. “So with the $400 million and the $100 million (estimate) we have remaining from Prop R, we think that we could really get this, if not wrapped up, almost completely wrapped up.”

Governing Board Trustee Humberto Peraza voted to place the bond on the November ballot. He said it is ultimately up to the community to decide whether the college will be able to finish its construction plans.

“It’s up to the voters,” he said. “I think the polling is optimistic, but on Election Day people will go to the ballot box and decide ‘Hey do we want to do this? Do we want to pay for this?’ I think they will but it depends on what message you put out there. And I think this will help us build a lot.”