Miami Dade College reopened its doors on Monday, Sept. 18—more than a week after Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the school’s campuses causing water and landscaping damage.
Uprooted trees were the main culprit. Most debris has been removed and fans were used to dry wet areas.
One area that remains closed after the storm is the North Campus library in the 2000 building. It is currently closed so officials can assess possible moisture damage and water penetration caused by Hurricane Irma. Students who want to borrow books from other Miami Dade College campuses or Florida schools through sharing services can still do so at the Computer Courtyard located above the library in Room 2201. According to North Campus Director of Campus Services Fermin Vazquez, the library will be closed for at least two to three weeks.
Hurricane Irma also caused several other inconveniences for MDC. It was feared that building 8 at Wolfson Campus would have to be closed because a crane that bent and collapsed during the storm was dangling from a skyscraper, under construction, that sits on the complex directly behind building 8. However, the day before the College was reopened, the crane was removed by another crane.
Building 3, which is also located at Wolfson Campus, sustained damage to its facade on the northeast 4th street side during the storm. Several red bricks from the structure were chipped away during the hurricane. That building has not been closed, but students, faculty and staff have to enter the complex through the northeast 5th street side.
School officials also said that the College’s Miami Culinary Institute, located in building 9 at the Wolfson Campus, would have to relocate classes that require cooking because of ventilation damage at the facility.
A press release announcing the reopening of the College said: “We ask our College’s community to be patient during this transitional recovery period, as some classrooms and office locations have been moved. Students should login to check their schedules regarding changes in classrooms.”
