Río Hondo College Community Approves $442 Million Bond for Essential Campus Upgrades, Modernizations

November 25, 2024

CommunityHuman InterestPress Release

Río Hondo College Community Approves $442 Million Bond for Essential Campus Upgrades, Modernizations

Río Hondo College (RHC) will undertake a series of construction projects for essential upgrades and repairs in alignment with its institutional mission to provide affordable access to higher education and job training to Los Angeles County students, thanks to the passing of Measure RH.

Río Hondo College, which celebrated 60 years of serving the community in 2023, will utilize the bond dollars to address safety and accessibility issues on campus, as well as modernize classrooms, labs and facilities to better prepare students for careers or university transfer.

Measure RH, a $442.2 million facilities bond, passed with more than 64% of the vote from Río Hondo Community College District voters, clearing the 55% approval rate needed for local bonds to pass on the November ballot.[1]

“Measure RH’s approval reflects our community’s strong commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education and training for local students and professionals,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “We are incredibly grateful for our community’s support of Río Hondo College and these much-needed improvements. This bond will ensure our College remains a valuable resource for current and future generations.”

Río Hondo College serves as an accessible resource for students pursuing their college education, high school students getting a head start on their postsecondary education through the College’s Dual Enrollment offerings and those looking to upgrade their career by developing real-world skills through its Career and Workforce Education programs.

Beyond local bond dollars, RHC will also have better access to state matching funds, including those available through Proposition 2, for facility projects through the passing of Measure RH. Prop 2 is a state bond, with $1.5 billion set aside for community college district facilities projects, that was also approved on the November ballot.

Measure RH construction will begin with the most urgent projects, with a phased project schedule to ensure bond dollars are used responsibly and efficiently. Funds will be used to upgrade clean drinking water systems, update lighting, fire alarms, camera and emergency systems and remove hazardous materials on campus, including mold, lead paint and asbestos.

Bond projects also include campus infrastructure improvements, including repairs to leaky roofs, deteriorated HVAC units and faulty plumbing; modernized technology, electrical wiring and high-speed internet; and renovated classrooms/labs for first responder training and other high-demand careers. For more information, visit page.riohondo.edu/measure-rh.

“Thanks to Measure RH, we can revitalize our campus to better serve our students and community,” said Board of Trustees President Anais Medina Diaz. “These improvements will provide our students with a safer, more modern learning environment where they can gain the skills and education needed to thrive in today’s workforce and achieve their academic goals.”