By Traci Newell

Since voters approved Measure C in June, Foothill-De Anza Community College District officials have been pushing to sell general-obligation bonds as soon as possible so that construction can begin.

The $490.8 million bond issue will fund the renovations and upgrades at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and De Anza College in Cupertino.

The first phase of construction and refurbishment calls for nearly $300 million to acquire new equipment and complete the renovations remaining from Measure E, a $248 million bond voters passed in 1999. The construction could begin as early as August.

Vice Chancellor Mike Brandy said the first construction would concentrate on renovating the 30 percent of facilities not finished under Measure E. The projects for renovating the buildings are designed and ready to bid, he added.

Brandy said the biggest difference between the two bonds is that with Measure C, the district can use the money on equipment renovations as well as facilities. He said students should benefit from the new computers on the campus by late fall or early winter.

“Students will see a lot of that good work right away,” Brandy said.

The first projects, Series A, are expected to take approximately three years. The money from the bond should fund the schools’ renovation and construction needs for 15 years. Brandy said the district plans to withhold money for the fifth and 10th year so that the district can continue to renew the equipment on campus.

“It’s going to really change the atmosphere for our students who come into refreshed classrooms,” said Penny Patz, interim president at Foothill College. “It’s going to make the learning environment much more conducive to the students.”

Brandy said there have been

discussions of a possible third site for the district, potentially expanding the community it

currently serves. The third site would be a rented building in the hills of Palo Alto.

The district board of trustees held study sessions July 10 and 11 regarding Measure C’s implementation and planning. Recommended projects within the first series included renovation, maintenance, construction, furniture, technology and other equipment. The district is forming a citizens oversight committee.

“I think we are going to be able to deliver a very high-quality project,” Brandy said. He said that most of the staff directing Measure C projects is experienced because of their previous work with Measure E.

“We do appreciate the community’s strong support for Measure C,” he said. “There is a lot of excitement and anticipation for all the new equipment - equipment which is long overdue.”