It seems like just yesterday when The Beat covered the first phase of Milpitas Unified School District’s historic groundbreaking of its Innovation Campus. But it happened in 2022.
Now, four years later, MUSD is moving the project toward completion. Earlier this week, the district held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Innovation Campus’s final phase.
This third and final phase consists of the Workforce Development Center and Early Childhood Education Research Center, along with community spaces and a meeting room for the Board of Education.
The Innovation Campus was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and built by Blach Construction (Blach), with TBK Construction Management serving as construction manager.
“The multi-year development of this project at the intersection of global Silicon Valley has allowed us to see the benefits these facilities and programs are already bringing to our students, residents, and businesses,” said MUSD Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. “Thank you to our Milpitas voters, MUSD team members, families, and students, as well as our dedicated MUSD Innovation Campus project team for their support in helping us bring a new era of progressive learning to Milpitas.”
Early Childhood Development Coordinator Vanessa Espitia oversees Rose Child Development Center and Sunnyhills Child Development. She spoke at the groundbreaking about the significance of the buildings to come…
“We know the earliest years of a child’s life are foundational, shaping cognitive growth, social emotional skills, and long-term success. The access to early childhood [education] really makes a difference to all of our learners. By expanding our focus in MUSD on early learning, we’re also going to be able to strengthen our workforce,” said Espitia.
The Early Childhood Education Research Center will be 3,500 square feet and consist of two classrooms with restrooms, along with breakout and administration spaces.
The Workforce Development Center will be 9,000 square feet and will consist of meeting rooms, offices, conference rooms, a cafe, a kitchen, and a lobby. It will also be home to MUSD’s Board of Education meetings.
Phase one of the Innovation Campus included buildings for Milpitas Adult Education and the Milpitas High School Extension; during phase two, new buildings for Cal Hills High School and Career Technical Education went up.
“We are thrilled to break ground on phase three of the MUSD Innovation Campus, bringing the community one step closer to the final completion of this important resource,” said Brad Fannin, project executive at Blach. “Utilizing innovative solutions like our prefabricated Folia system has allowed us to ensure the project has remained on schedule without sacrificing quality and the district’s programming goals.”
The 100,000-sq.ft. MUSD Innovation Campus was made possible by funding in the amount of $90 million, which came by way of the 2018 Bond Measure AA, along with California state-matching grants. Congressman Ro Khanna was able to secure $1 million in total for the project, while Assemblymember Alex Lee helped bring in $1.5 million for the Innovation Campus.
“The future of education belongs in the hands of our children, guided by vision, experience, and leadership. Congressman Ro Khanna and Assemblymember Alex Lee recognize the MUSD Innovation Campus as a model for this state that includes secondary, college, adult education, and professional development,” MUSD Board of Education President Chris Norwood shared with The Beat.
He also added: “We are pleased to have met the need of the Milpitas voters and expanded to include workforce development and early childhood education for many years to come.”
Phase three is expected to be completed come Summer 2027.
