A $3.5 billion developing bond initiative proposed by the San Diego Community College District is advancing to its next phase before going to the ballot in the November election.

The bond plan consists of 10 facility improvement projects at San Diego City College that include public funding for the incoming student housing project.

“(The Bond) aims to maximize the impact of bond funds in enhancing teaching and learning environments, supporting student success initiatives and advancing the college’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality education,” said Vice President of Administrative Service, John Parker in an update at the April 16 College Council meeting.

Bonds are money given by governments and corporations as a way to raise money. 

“Hopefully we can get most of that,” said Parker. “How can we get involved? By canvassing, informing our neighbors, informing our external and internal stakeholders, phone calls, canvassing, handing out literature.”

In the update is a list of projects the College Council wishes to achieve. This was officially addressed at a College Council meeting held on April 16.

Some of the buildings that will be affected include the Transfer Center, Institutional Effectiveness Office and Dreamer’s Resource Center.

The Parent Center, Asian American and Pacific Islander Center along with other spaces will also be affected.  

Before the College Council meeting on April 16, these plans were previewed at the meeting held on April 2. 

The timeline of these bonds dates back to October of 2022. It started in the SDCCDE Board of Trustees and has been going through the College Council and Academic Senate for reviews.  

This bond was proposed to help with City Colleges’ need to sustain its students, help growing programs, offer faculty and staff workspaces and help with maintenance, according to Parkers proposal plans.  

The bond will be going on the 2024 ballot for this year’s election.

City Times Media Editor-in-Chief Marco Guajardo contributed to this story.