For Immediate Release,
8/16/07
SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE PROCEEDING WITH ANNEXATION OF MOUNTAIN HOUSE SITE
(Stockton, CA)
San Joaquin Delta College is poised to build a new education facility at its Mountain House site near the city of Tracy, pending annexation into the Mountain House Community Services District. Project plans now hinge on the successful outcome of a vote by the County Board of Supervisors to be held on Tuesday August 28th and subsequent approval by the County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Successful annexation would set the stage for early phases of construction on permanent facilities to begin in the Spring of 2008.
“We are very excited to be at this important juncture, following years of negotiation,” says Dr. Raul Rodriguez, President and Superintendent of Delta College. “There have been some trying moments as we worked through very complex issues with (Community Services District Director) Paul Sensibaugh and (developer) Gerry Kamilos. The spirit of cooperation has prevailed, however, and Mr. Sensibaugh has sharpened his pencil and Mr. Kamilos has reaffirmed his financial commitment to the project. As a consequence, we are about to see an open field in the southwest corner of our service area turn into a state-of-the-art education center.”
In a recent letter to the principal stakeholders of the project, developer Kamilos reaffirmed his willingness to help the College through annexation with a commitment of some $14.3 million, which will go toward Delta’s annexation costs and fees. He further stated that “the opening of the College at Mountain House will be a special day for the community, the College and our project, and, I’m sure you will agree, (is) long overdue”.
According to Delta College Board of Trustees President, Maria Elena Serna, moving forward with the College’s center at Mountain House is critical to serving the future needs of Delta College students. “Remember” states Serna, “our focus as an institution is always on the students. Moving forward with this project means greater access to quality education, and at the end of the day, that’s always a good thing.”
Mountain House Landscaping Plan
###
