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This November, San Mateo County voters will be asked to extend an existing $848 million bond to support improvements to 60-year-old facilities at the county’s three community college campuses.
The San Mateo County Community College District’s measure does not increase taxes — it only extends the existing rate. Currently the district estimates the cost to property owners is $10.50 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, with the potential to reach $18 per $100,000 of assessed valuation, according to the district’s tax resolution statement. The tax rate extension would remain in effect through the fiscal year ending in 2049.
The district is eyeing improvements to aging infrastructure such as roofs and flooring, plumbing systems and lighting at all three campuses. It is also hoping to pursue a number of campus-specific projects, including updating the 50-year-old fine arts facility at Cañada College in Woodside and adding a new athletic center to Skyline College in San Bruno.
County voters have previously supported three of the general obligation bond measures put forth by the district, the most recent being $388 million Measure H in 2014.
At a meeting on July 29, public commenters encouraged the community college board to focus on modernization over reconstruction to preserve historic architecture. Josh Weinberg, a student at the College of San Mateo, pointed to the neo-formalist architecture of the campus buildings, some of which were designed by prominent architect John Carl Warnecke. One of the most well-known examples of neo-formalism is Lincoln Center in New York City.
“I urge you to look at renovation … great architecture can transcend generations and age,” Weinberg said.
Board members said that they would include those considerations in their construction plans.
“We will prioritize modernization over reconstruction at every turn, and I support the idea that we honor the existing architecture,” said Chancellor Melissa Moreno.
District-commissioned polls conducted over the last year suggest voters are in favor of a bond extension, with the most recent numbers showing support at around 65%, 10 points above the required 55% to pass.
The board of trustees voted unanimously to put the bond extension measure on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
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