Massive Makeover to Begin Soon at Odessa College - KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com |

by Jen Kastner
NewsWest 9

ODESSA- Major construction is soon to begin at Odessa College. The campus is about to get a complete makeover. This week, the city inched closer to getting this major project started.

Members of Odessa's Planning and Zoning Commission jumped some hurdles and are in the process of re-zoning a plot of land that's part of the huge undertaking.

"The students are excited [and so are the] faculty, staff and administration. This is just a very exciting time in the life of the college," Odessa College Spokesperson, Cheri Dalton, said.

Right now it's mostly a pile of dirt, but that will soon change.

Dalton says, "Odessa College purchased the property. It will become the parking area for the new Lifelong Learning Center and the Fine Arts Center."

The plot of land by Andrews Highway and West University got the green light to become a much-needed parking area. It will bring some relief to students at the Fine Arts building, who've been hurting for spaces. It will also help out the parking situation for the future Lifelong Learning Center, a place for continuing education.

"[It's] what we call the non-credit side of the college where people are taking courses [like] computer courses maybe just a special course. It used be that continuing education was flower arranging. It might be some photography-type courses," Dalton said.

It's all part of the massive campus improvement project. Students will get a math and science building, a campus center and a fire training center, among other buildings.

Dalton said, "The majority of the funding for that comes from the $78.5 million bond that was passed in November of 2010." The college says they're hoping all these new buildings will be up and running sometime in 2013.