LBCC’s Modernization Efforts Garner Trio of Prestigious Construction Awards

LONG BEACH, CA – April 17, 2026 – Long Beach City College (LBCC), in a powerful affirmation of its campus-wide revitalization, has secured three top regional honors for excellence in construction management. The college, alongside its bond management partner Cordoba Corporation, received Project Achievement Awards from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Southern California Chapter, recognizing the successful execution of major upgrades funded by community-supported bonds.

The awards celebrate a diverse range of projects that are reshaping the student experience and bolstering the region's workforce: the landmark Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center, the career-focused Building MM Construction Trades II complex, and a critical campus-wide security system upgrade.

“We are honored to receive these awards alongside Cordoba Corporation in recognition of our exceptional construction projects,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, Superintendent-President of LBCC. “We are proud to work together to provide the best possible facilities and learning environment to support the well-being and future success of our region’s students for many generations to come.”

A Trifecta of Excellence in Campus Design

The CMAA Southern California awards are a benchmark of quality in the construction industry, celebrating projects that demonstrate superior management, innovation, and technical skill. LBCC’s success across three distinct categories underscores the depth and quality of its campus modernization efforts.

Each winning project was recognized in a specific budget category, highlighting the college's ability to deliver excellence at every scale:

• Education Projects Over $50 million: The Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center (Building G), a transformative $102 million cultural hub.
• Education Projects Under $50 million: The new Building MM Construction Trades II complex, a vital new home for vocational training programs.
• Education Projects Under $10 million: The Access Control, Lockdown, and Mass Notification System Upgrade at the Trades, Technology, and Community Learning (TTC) campus, a crucial investment in student safety.

The recognition from a body of industry peers validates the complex coordination and dedication required to bring these projects to fruition.

“We are grateful to receive these awards from CMAA Southern California, which are a testament to the dedication our teams put into every project," said Cordoba Corporation’s Jessica Landon, the LBCCD Bond Program Director. "It is a privilege to partner with LBCC to contribute to projects that push the boundaries of design and technical execution, and to make a meaningful difference for students and the broader community.”

Building the Future on Public Trust

These award-winning facilities are the tangible results of a promise made to the community. The projects were funded through voter-approved bond measures—specifically Measures E, LB, and AC—reflecting a long-term public investment in the college's mission. The success of these initiatives highlights a model of public trust and accountability, managed through a long-standing partnership with Cordoba Corporation, which has overseen the college's bond program since 2006.

An all-volunteer Citizens' Oversight Committee provides an additional layer of accountability, ensuring that bond proceeds are spent exactly as promised: on constructing and modernizing facilities, not on administrative salaries or operating expenses.

“Having three LBCC projects recognized among Southern California’s best construction and facilities projects is a tremendous honor and reflects the remarkable dedication of our staff, contractors, and project managers who brought them to life, as well as the enduring support of our diverse community,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, President of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees. “Through voter-approved bond funding, we are delivering on our responsibility to build world-class learning spaces that connect students to opportunity and drive long-term economic growth across our community and region.”

From Arts Hubs to High-Tech Trades

The impact of these projects extends far beyond their architectural merit, directly enhancing the educational pathways available to LBCC's more than 35,000 students.

The Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center, which officially opened in spring 2026, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Liberal Arts Campus. The 67,000-square-foot complex houses a 263-seat auditorium, a flexible “black box” theater, and state-of-the-art dance, music, and broadcast studios. Named for the late Latina music icon and proud LBCC alumna, the center serves as both a premier training ground for students and an inspirational cultural hub for the entire community.

Meanwhile, the new Building MM at the TTC campus is a direct investment in the region's economic future. Replacing facilities dating back to the 1950s, the complex provides modern labs and classrooms for high-demand career education programs, including Architecture, Carpentry, and HVAC. These programs are designed to create a pipeline of skilled talent for the area's expanding aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and construction industries, often referred to as “Space Beach.”

The third award, for the campus security upgrade, recognizes the college's commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment, a foundational element of student success.

A Vision for Continued Growth and Opportunity

These awards mark a significant milestone, but they are not the final chapter in LBCC's story of transformation. The college continues to build on this momentum with a clear vision for the future, guided by its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan and a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan.

The recent passage of Measure AC, a $990 million bond measure approved by voters in November 2024, will fuel the next wave of improvements. This new funding is slated to address critical infrastructure needs, modernize more classrooms and labs, enhance safety features, and even explore the development of affordable student housing to address student--life challenges.

Construction is already underway on the next major project: a new, three-story, $102 million Building E College Center, which is expected to open in fall 2027 and serve as a central hub for student services. By leveraging community support and strategic partnerships, Long Beach City College is not just constructing buildings but actively building a more accessible, equitable, and prosperous future for its students and the broader region it serves.