A $136 million bond measure OK’d by voters in a special election on May 20 will provide funding for numerous facility updates, safety upgrades and learning environment modernizations at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC). It’s the first successful bond measure for the Gresham-based college in the past 50 years.

Voters in Multnomah, Clackamas and Hood River counties approved Measure 26-258 by a narrow margin, according to unofficial results posted by the Oregon Secretary of State office. 21,177 yea votes and 21,041 nays.

All proceeds from the sales of the bonds will be used by MHCC to repair and replace outdated HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems; enhance safety and accessibility across the campus; and ensure MHCC can continue to meet the region’s workforce, academic and community needs, the college stated in a press release.

Bond projects will include repairing and updating the college’s academic center, south campus, fisheries/grounds, visual arts mall, Maywood Center, and Bruning Center. Work will involve repairing or replacing roofs, windows, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, flooring, and IT infrastructure; repairing and updating parking lots, sidewalks, and roads; and updating some restrooms and classrooms, according to the project’s website.

“We are profoundly grateful to our community for this vote of confidence,” MHCC President Lisa Skari stated in the press release. “With the passage of Measure 26-258, we can now take bold steps to modernize our facilities and create learning environments that match the excellence of our students and faculty — so that everyone has an opportunity to get a great education.”

The college will begin the bond implementation process in the coming months. An oversight committee will be formed to ensure transparency and accountability.

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