An architect’s rendering of the Dimitry Building after renovations.

Just like homeowners have to invest in new roofs, a fresh coat of paint, and replacement windows, community college leaders have to pay attention to their buildings, making sure they’re up-to-date and in good working order.

Northern Essex recently completed a renovation of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill Campus, and the college is now preparing to renovate the Dimitry Building, 45 Franklin St., in Lawrence, a project that will begin this month with a completion date of the spring of 2019.

When finished, the building will feature new windows, new siding, parking lot improvements, and new and beautifully landscaped outdoor space. The renovation is anticipated to cost $6.5 million and it is funded by the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management.

All offices currently located in the Dimitry building have been moved to new temporary locations in Lawrence including NECC’s Louise Haffner Fournier Education Center, NECC Riverwalk, and the El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Building.

And classes, previously taught in the Dimitry Building, have all moved to the Haverhill Campus and other Lawrence locations.

While most of the moves are temporary, the Radiologic Technology Program will be located in El-Hefni permanently.

“Many of our buildings on campus are aging and expensive renovations are required to keep them operational,” said Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex.  “We’re thankful our local legislators and our state administration recognize the importance of investing in infrastructure, and we appreciate their support of this project.”

The Prudential Insurance Company of America donated the building to the state for a campus for Northern Essex in 1991, and it opened soon after as the college’s first building in the city.

In 1996, the building was named the John R. Dimitry Building in honor of the college’s second president who served the college for over 20 years from 1975 to 1996.

For more information, visit the Dimitry Renovation website.

With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College offers over 60 associate degree and certificate programs as well as hundreds of noncredit courses designed for personal enrichment and career growth.  Each year, 8,500 students are enrolled in credit associate degree and certificate programs on the Haverhill and Lawrence campuses; and another 2,600 take noncredit workforce development and community education classes on campus, and at businesses and community sites across the Merrimack Valley. . For more information, visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu.