CCBC Essex Marks Opening of New Building

County and state officials joined the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex in cutting the ribbon on the college's renovated math and science building on Wednesday.

Construction began on the $16.2 million project in May of 2010 and finished this past August. The project, funded with state, county and CCBC capital funds, will serve more than 8,000 math and science students next semester.

Thirteen science labs were renovated and the exterior facade and windows ere replaced on the 59,630-square-foot building.

The math and science building first opened in 1976.

"It's not too bad an age for a person, but it's a terrible age for a building," said CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis, who remarked that it's her fifth major ribbon-cutting at CCBC in as many years.

The renovated building includes upgraded physics and math labs, revamped offices, social spaces and energy-efficient features. The investment was part of an effort by the college to cater to the need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (popularly called STEM) professionals.

"This building is an important investment that will reap benefits for the next 50 years," said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.