A partnership between Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a Maricopa Community College, and the City of Avondale has delivered a convenient solution for many students and local community members. In spring 2008, the college and city began work to build a bus transit center on the college campus, in addition to adding more than 300 student parking spaces and a second entry/exit to Thomas Road. The project was deemed officially complete this week.
Additional student parking spaces will bring relief to students who commute to the college campus, while the transit center offers an alternate solution to those students who decide to take advantage of public transportation. Estrella Mountain's Director of College Facilities Planning and Development Randy Mauldin pointed out, "The transit center provides a valuable service to our community at a critical time; gas prices are causing people to look for alternative ways to travel to and from work and school. Its existence allows transit planners to increase services and open new routes in and around the campus."
In addition to the transit center and the new parking spaces, a walkway was built to ensure students' safe passage from the bus transit center to nearby classroom buildings. The area was artistically designed with resemblance to the college's architecture and landscaping to create a serene environment.
"The City of Avondale is delighted to partner with Estrella Mountain Community College to provide a much-needed and aesthetically pleasing transit center for our transit riders," said Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez-Rogers. "Avondale appreciates its long-standing partnership with EMCC to bring services and opportunities to our residents and the students of the college."