Long Beach City College (LBCC) held a groundbreaking ceremony
today for the new Building E College Center, a transformative
project that will become the pulse of student life on the Liberal
Arts Campus.

“This groundbreaking of the new college center is a reminder of
what our communities can build together when we choose progress
over complacency and inclusion over animosity,” said Uduak-Joe
Ntuk, President of the Long Beach Community College District
(LBCCD) Board of Trustees. “By passing Measure LB and Measure AC,
our voters decided to invest not just in new walls, but in the
belief that every student—no matter their background, zip code,
or life story—deserves a vibrant place to learn, thrive, and
grow. As a former LBCC student who studied in the former
building, it’s inspiring to witness the new Building E reborn as
a dynamic center of student life that will empower generations of
LBCC scholars to dream bigger and achieve more.”

“This groundbreaking marks a major step forward in how we support
our students at Long Beach City College,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz,
Superintendent-President of LBCC. “The Building E College Center
will be a welcoming space where every student can find
connection, community, and support all under one roof. It will be
the true heart of our campus and a daily reminder of our
commitment to belonging, equity, and student success.”

The new three-story, 62,823-square-foot facility will replace the
existing Building E and serve as a vibrant hub for student
engagement, academic support, and community connection. The new
college center will bring together vital services including
Student Life, Basic Needs, Viking Vault, the Family Center,
International Center, Student Affairs, First Year Experience, and
the Social Justice Intercultural Center. The building will also
feature the campus cafeteria, an amphitheater, outdoor seating,
flexible event spaces, and the modern design honors the Liberal
Arts Campus’ past and moves to a modern inclusive future.

Construction began in July 2025, and the new facility is
anticipated to open in Fall 2027. The total project budget is
$102 million, and is designed to achieve US Green Building
Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Gold Certification. Achieving the LEED Gold Certification means
the new college center will operate with lower energy use,
reduced environmental impact, and a more comfortable, healthier
environment for everyone who uses it.

Funding for the new building is provided through Measure LB,
approved by local voters in 2016.

The project team includes HPI Architecture as the building
architect and ProWest Constructors as the general contractor.
LBCCD’s bond management company, the Cordoba Corporation,
oversees project management for LBCC.

About Long Beach City College
Long Beach City College
consists of two campuses with an enrollment of over 35,000
students each semester and serves the cities of Long Beach,
Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Avalon. LBCC promotes equitable
student learning and achievement, academic excellence, and
workforce development by delivering high quality educational
programs and support services to our diverse communities. Visit
www.LBCC.edu for more information
about Long Beach City College.

MEDIA CONTACT

Stacey Toda,
Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Long Beach City College
stoda@lbcc.edu
(562) 938-4004