Construction of the CCBC Catonsville library reaches major milestone

A crane lowers our final beam for CCBC library.

A constant hum of construction vehicles continues at the Catonsville campus. But on Oct. 14, the vehicles momentarily silenced for a special ceremony marking a major milestone in the construction of the college’s new library.

The final beam, fabricated by B&B Welding, was placed at the top of the structure as part of a “topping off” ceremony, signifying the overall completion of the building’s steel frame.

Lots of well-wishers, including CCBC Board of Trustees members Barbara Howe, Richard McJilton and Emmet Davitt, Baltimore County Councilmen Samuel Moxley and Ken Oliver, and a host of CCBC employees joined President Kurtinitis in signing the last beam before it was hoisted into the sky.

In keeping with the “topping off” tradition, an evergreen tree was placed atop the beam. The tree signifies a job well done, and is meant to signify good fortune for those who will inhabit the building.

Both Maryland and United States flags were also raised atop the structure before it was secured in place.

The new library will be 75,482 square feet in size, housing not only library space but seven classrooms, a Student Success Center, a Cyber Café and more. The building will also be LEED certified at the silver level, meaning it will be environmentally friendly. Scheduled completion is fall 2010.