Here’s what you need to know about the $349 million bond for Wake Tech

Loren Ivester thinks she got the “caring gene” from her mother.

But the Wake Tech freshman also credits the nurses who cared for her ailing grandfather for her long-time interest in the medical field.

“I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was little,” she said. “It’s all I’ve been passionate about. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

She chose Wake Technical Community College to get her two-year degree before transferring because it was close to home and more affordable than a traditional four-year college.

Ivester is one of nearly 3,000 students in one of the health sciences fields – just one of the reasons Wake Tech says it needs a new 70,000 square-foot Health Science building at its North campus.

That building would be one of several projects funded if voters back a $349 million bond on the ballot Nov. 6. A bond gives Wake County commissioners the authority to raise the property tax rate for a designated purchase. If the bond for Wake Tech is approved, it would be 1.15 cent increase to fund four years worth of construction, security and technology needs for the state’s largest community college.

It would cost homeowners an additional $34.50 on their property tax bill for a home valued at $300,000 if the bond is approved. But that’s money well spent on a community college that is able to turn every $1 invested into Wake Tech into $11.50 for the community, said Tom Looney, chair of the Wake County Board of Trustees. This community college has a proven track record of helping the community and has proven it’s an excellent return on investment, he said.

“Wake Tech has delivered for our community in big ways,” Looney said. “We have 74,000 students and one of the biggest facts that tells the story is one in 10 adults take advantage of Wake Tech. We have done a good job creating opportunity for those who want a new opportunity.”

Before joining the board in 2013, Looney surveyed people who had a connection to the community college. He was struck by the number of people deeply impacted by the school and courses there.

“There was a story behind each one,” he said. “It was a wonderful conversation. And what I found at this point is that there’s probably not another organization in Wake County that touches more people and changes more lives than Wake Tech.”

There are five major projects included in the Wake Tech Bond:

• A auto and collision repair facility on the North Wake Campus for about $35.5 million. This would include about 70,000 square-feet for working and repairing vehicles and 20,000 square-feet of classroom space.
• An advanced institutes facility and parking deck for the South Wake Campus for about $89.5 million. This 70,000 square-foot building would house several programs including advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, mechatronics, welding and civil engineering.
• A Health Science building, lab and parking deck for the North Wake Campus for about $82.3 million. This 70,000 square-foot building would house several programs including nursing, radiography, surgical technology and pharmacy technology.
• A 1,200-space parking garage for the Research Triangle Park campus and the planning phase for two buildings for about $56.8 million
• A simulation building for the Public Safety Education Center for about $55.3 million

The bond would include several campus-wide initiatives like mass notification system, elevator and HVAC repairs and accessibility upgrades.

It’s the simulation building that interests Jeff Robinson. He’s the chief campus officer for the public safety campus. That campus serves about 4,000 students with many first responders, State Highway Patrol and local police officers and fire fighters. One of the things offered at the campus is a room that mimics an apartment complex that students can use to investigate mock crimes like a shooting or domestic incident.

The proposed simulation building would take that exercise to the next level.

Imagine, he said, a mock city within a building complete with streets, the first floors of apartments, hotels and homes, kitchens, police and fire stations. It would give students, many of them current first responders, chances to train for urban shooters, car wrecks, apartment fires and a two- or three-story rappelling area.

“We don’t have a place to train for an active shooter,” Robinson said. “And, I hate to say this, but we know it’s a matter of when and not a matter of if this will happen.”

The current simulation room is small and doesn’t allow for variety. This building will allow different organizations to train for different events while working along with other agencies.

“This nothing like this in North Carolina,” he said. “And I say this part of the country.”

The Wake Tech bond is one of three bonds on the ballot this November. Voters will also consider a $548 million school construction bond that will fund building seven new schools and the renovation of 11 others and a $120 million parks and open space bond that will renovate several parks.

If all three bonds are approved it would result in a 3.8 cent increase in the property tax rate, or cost the owner of a $300,000 house about $114 more on their county property tax bill.

This story was originally published October 29, 2018 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Here’s what you need to know about the $349 million bond for Wake Tech."