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Published on 05/04/1998 All articles from this issue

Foothill child center on horizon, but concerns over oaks remain

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Construction on a new 13,801-square-foot child care center at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills could begin as early as next month if state officials approve the architectural plans.

"We're real excited about it," said Judith Fateman, dean of student services and activities. "The condition of the current building is horrible. It's a health and safety hazard. The foundation is crumbling, the roof needs to be replaced and there are literally places where you can see fresh air coming through the building. It was never meant to be a permanent site."

With $3.2 million from the state, Foothill will replace the current center, which has been operating out of a portable building in the back of the school for the past 20 years.

The new center is scheduled to be built adjacent to parking lot No. 1 behind the firehouse, a site scattered with oak trees that some students are petitioning to save from the project.

At the March 23 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Foothill-De Anza Community College, student Richard Stowe submitted a petition signed by those who want the architectural plans changed to ensure some oak trees will be saved.

Fateman said the school has hired a certified arborist to evaluate the feasibility of letting one particular oak tree on the site remain in place. Fateman said the architect has made a commitment to do everything to work around trees.

Fateman said there are few appropriate sites on the campus to accommodate a child care center .

"It was quite a challenge to find a site appropriate for and workable for construction on the existing campus," she said. "If we are interrupted in this late stage, I'm not sure if we will ever get to build (the center)."

Fateman said the new center will increase the current program's enrollment from 88 to 110 and could provide child care spaces to members of the community not enrolled at the college. She said the center will also provide classroom space for students enrolled in the child development program.

School officials expect the new center to open this fall.