Delaware Tech catches up on lost time with renovations aimed to support a future workforce

They flowed among flowers, green landscaping and stone amphitheater seating. They trickled down new paths, flowing from the street or bordering campus buildings, hugging the shade out of a hot September sun.

Students and staff explored an unfamiliar space in downtown Wilmington this week. And for many in attendance, it's more than a courtyard.

Delaware Technical Community College's new courtyard and community space, nearly finished and opened Wednesday to celebrate the President’s Picnic ahead of a new school year, marks the latest renovation to top off recent updates to its George Campus in Wilmington. And the $2 million project, adding to the $25 million Student Success Center, joins a list of updates as the college continues to catch up on decades of deferred maintenance.

“Delaware Tech’s Wilmington campus has been in the city for 50 years. So, the building needed some assistance,” said Vice President and Campus Director Lora Johnson ahead of the opening. “When we started to look at expanding spaces for students, we really took a look outside as well. A lot of our students like to sit outside, be part of the city and embrace the community around us.”

That’s part of the idea.

Bringing in Delaware Tech commuters, and community

A leaking roof topped a leaking basement. Buckets would line hallways, catching dripping water. Classrooms would close.

Delaware Tech started to look at updating its Wilmington outfit well over a decade ago. Water intrusion had plagued the aging east building. Students were forced to navigate a patchwork of routes to find support services, often running up and down flights of stairs for the right financial aid office, registrar or adviser.

Stalled projects had been stacking up across the college.

“So we were lobbying,” Johnson recalled. “We were going to the General Assembly and asking for more funding to deal with our deferred maintenance.”

Calls were answered. Senate Substitute Two for Senate Bill 50, signed in 2019, led by former Senator Harris McDowell, ensured at least $10 million in state funding every year for five years, alongside giving the college rein to issue bonds to finance the cost of major and minor capital improvements. Similar framework was also just extended.

"Gratitude," said President Mark Brainard, describing his thoughts about taking his first steps on the new courtyard. "Gratitude from governor and our state legislators for supporting the college in a significant way, so that we can make these investments and bring these kinds of spaces to our students."

The student center model is now headed to every campus at Delaware Tech, hoping to give students one-stop shops for resources. The college celebrated the opening of this McDowell Student Success Center just last year, bringing large windows and new workspaces into updated designs throughout the first and second floors.

But the work didn't stop there.

“The courtyard project wasn't originally planned,” Johnson said, noting that leaders began surveying student needs as the project began.

“We've learned that even though we are a commuter school, being in the city, our students like to come here and stay here for the day. They'd like to have spaces where they can plug in, hang out a bit between classes, get together with some other students and collaborate — so we wanted to make sure we had enough spaces to do that not only inside, but pull that right to outside.”

The courtyard connects Wilmington campus structures, café and more with an array of outdoor seating and new landscaping. It also aims to welcome the surrounding community in, as amphitheater seating should allow for outside events, music and other gatherings, and benches offer a quite break for students and pedestrians alike.

"They're bringing people together," said Fantasia Parchment, sitting on a stone seat even in 90-degree heat. "It's really nice to see after everything, this face-to-face connection."

Other students at the picnic joked they may come on days they don't have class.

Parchment commutes 20 minutes from New Castle for class and plans to utilize the new space, maybe even meeting new classmates. The maintenance struggles of the past were happily lost on the first-year student, looking out at the new courtyard.

It symbolizes much more than an updated patio.

NAACP calls out police: 'If you're Black, watch yourself' in Delaware, NAACP says, calling for police transparency

How many projects are happening at Delaware Tech?

Delaware Tech is racing to catch up on deferred maintenance throughout its system. But it also wants enhancement.

"We've got over $100 million in projects at various points of the pipeline from design, construction, completion and now open," President Brainard said. "The investments are making a huge difference, not just for the college, but for our students. And we're already seeing the results."

Leaders described some 10 major construction projects active across the college, with each campus commanding the list. As Johnson put it, from student centers in the works to a childcare center opening on the Stanton campus, “They just keep coming.”

As courtyard construction officially wraps up, her Wilmington campus must turn right to plans for the new Allied Health Center of Excellence next door. The latest effort will be under construction over the next few years, ultimately adding surgical technology and paramedic programs to the city's campus.

Enrollment is up; a new academic year is kicking off. More courses are being offered in-person this semester than any since the pandemic shutdown. Thanks to state support, Johnson sees these projects as simply sticking with the community college mission.

“When we're looking at adding programs or what we need to be doing as far as training or certifications, it's industry-driven,” said Wilmington’s campus director. “Our mission is to provide the workforce of Delaware.”

Crank up the rankings: Putting Delaware's top high school fall sports teams in order

Have a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: DelTech celebrates campus upgrades in Wilmington, with more to come