Benton Center Groundbreaking for New Addition set for Aug. 22

 artist rendering 2017, FFA Architecture

Linn-Benton Community College will hold a ground breaking ceremony to begin construction on a two-story addition to its Benton Center location in Corvallis, part of the college’s 2014 voter-supported bond projects.

The program will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 22 at 931 NW Reiman St., just north of the Benton Center off 9th Street.  

The project will provide 20,000 square feet in additional classroom space and increased parking to meet current and future demands at the college’s Benton Center location, which currently serves more than 5,000 students each year.

With its close proximity to Oregon State University, LBCC’s Benton Center plays a unique role in connect with students attending OSU. More than 3,000 students are dual-enrolled though LBCC and OSU’s degree partnership program

Guest speakers include Corvallis Mayor Biff Trabor, LBCC President Greg Hamann, LBCC Board of Education Chair Jim Merryman, and LBCC Benton Center Director Jeff Davis.

The new building will provide 20,000 square feet in additional classroom space and increased parking to meet current and future demands at the Benton Center location.

The college acquired the Reiman St. property in January 2016, which includes a 12,000-square-foot building on 2.5 acres. The existing building will be renovated as part of the expansion.

Primary funding for the project will come from 2014 voter-approved bonds, with some private donations. Construction will begin in September and is expected to be complete in December 2020.

More than 18,000 students rely on Linn-Benton Community College each year for higher education. LBCC offers 85 degree and certificate options in seven core areas of study, and provides career technical education, transfer degree programs, professional development, corporate training, small business development, community education classes and more. LBCC has six locations including its main campus in Albany and centers in Corvallis, Lebanon and Sweet Home.