California Construction News staff writer
East Los Angeles College Tops Out New Nursing and Public Safety Building, Marking Major Milestone in Workforce Training Expansion
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has reached a significant construction milestone with the topping out of the new four-story East Los Angeles College Nursing, Allied Health, and Public Safety Building, a state-of-the-art facility designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare and emergency response fields.
The project, led by general contractor Swinerton, supports Nursing, Allied Health, and Public Service/Public Safety programs, including Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Fire, and Police training. The 54,000-square-foot building, designed by DLR Group, is being constructed on the East Los Angeles College campus in Monterey Park and is expected to open in spring 2027.
According to Swinerton, the project represents a highly coordinated construction effort due to the building’s advanced educational requirements. The facility will include simulation laboratories, research spaces, and flexible classrooms designed to support both focused instruction and interdisciplinary learning. Specialized infrastructure such as custom acoustical systems, audiovisual technology, advanced mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, and oversized control rooms are being integrated to accommodate complex training environments.
Because hands-on simulation is central to the curriculum, the building will feature immersive training environments that replicate real-world hospital settings, emergency scenes, and public safety scenarios. Academic spaces will also incorporate virtual and augmented reality tools to enhance experiential learning for students preparing for frontline roles in healthcare and emergency services.
Sustainability is a key component of the project. The building is targeting LEED Silver certification and is designed to advance the district’s broader goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. A solar roof system and photovoltaic carports are expected to generate approximately 826 megawatt-hours annually, offsetting a significant portion of the building’s energy use. The site will also include new landscaped outdoor areas with trees and gathering spaces intended to support student interaction and study.
“Since 1945, East Los Angeles College has been the beacon for academic opportunity and upward mobility for the underserved communities we serve,” said ELAC Interim President Monte Perez. “The new building will enable us to remove temporary bungalows, transforming the Monterey Park campus into a modern institution of higher education that honors the legacy of past, present and future students with renewed aspirations and possibilities.”
The project is funded through Measure CC, the 2016 voter-approved $3.3 billion bond supporting LACCD capital improvements. Since 2001, the district has completed more than 800 bond-funded projects across its nine colleges, reshaping campuses into modern educational environments. Program management is provided by Jacobs Solutions, with oversight from Cordoba Corporation.
The topping out marks a key milestone in construction progress as the facility moves closer to completion, reinforcing LACCD’s ongoing investment in workforce development and hands-on, technology-driven education.
