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Montgomery College, the number one community college in Maryland and one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation, has expanded its campus through the completion of the highly anticipated East County Education Center (ECEC) led by general contractor Henley Construction.

Located at 2221 Broad Birch Drive in Silver Spring, the 55,193-square-foot space features classrooms, training labs, and student advising space. The new center is the first step in MC's expansion into East County, and it expects to serve more than 1,000 students in its first year.

Cochran & Mann was trusted to provide painting, wall covering, and mural services for the ECEC project. The finished rooms and spaces are now open for the various programs offered by the college, such as small business/entrepreneurship, cybersecurity, allied healthcare, early childhood education, hospitality management, criminal justice, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL/ESL), and Workforce Development and Continuing Education.

Partnering with Henley Construction

With an established general contractor such as Henley Construction leading the project, our team was able to focus on meeting deadlines and achieving the client's goals. This partnership allowed seamless coordination, clear communication, and efficient problem-solving throughout the renovation.

Building successful partnerships in the commercial construction industry is essential for delivering exceptional results. As a subcontractor, our work is not only a reflection of our skill set; it also reflects the work of the general contractor. When asked about the value of a strong subcontractor partnership, Buddy Henely, President of Henley Construction, shared this feedback:

"As president of Henley Construction, I cannot overstate the invaluable contribution of our long-term subcontractor partner, Cochran & Mann. Their unwavering dedication, exceptional craftsmanship, and commitment to excellence have consistently elevated our projects, as demonstrated once again in Montgomery College's new East County Education Center. Their professionalism and reliability continue to make them an indispensable asset to our team, and we are immensely grateful for their fantastic service.

We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration for years to come.”

- Buddy Henley. President of Henley Construction

The result of the Montogerny College project was a success. With our top-notch painting, wall covering, and mural services, we surpassed the expectations and strengthened our bond with the general contractor.

Our professionalism and dedication to the project ensured that every detail was meticulously executed, resulting in a beautifully renovated campus that will positively impact the community for years to come. The Cochran & Mann project manager shared this about the Henley Construction partnership:

"Our collaboration with Henley Construction has always been marked by strong relationships with their project management and field operations team, who consistently go above and beyond to support us in achieving our shared goals."  Cochran & Mann Project Manager Ben Davies.

Project Overview

The Cochran & Mann team was ready for the challenge of bringing the 55,000-square-foot ECEC space to life. The commercial paint and wall-covering services included the completion of murals, acoustic wall-covering treatments, accent details, and overall wall coating.

The building scope included: 

• 11 classrooms for numerous programs
• 10 labs (6 allied health labs, 3 computer labs, and 1 career training education lab)
• Community Engagement Center
• Learning Center
• Library
• Event spaces
• Lounges
• Study rooms
• Computer Rooms
• Nursing Rooms
• Labs
• Offices  
• Breakrooms

Challenges Turned into Opportunities

Material acquisition and achieving deadlines are common challenges with any construction or renovation project. The Montgomery College project was no different. The accent design wallpaper chosen for this project was a BuzziSpace product called Buzzibrickback. This "tactile sound-absorbing wallpaper" is manufactured in Belgium and shipped to North Carolina before being delivered to our warehouse.

Navigating the logistics and extensive shipping process required strategic solutions and a realignment of priorities to ensure timely project delivery. With excellent communication between the Cochran & Mann team and Henley Construction, we ensured the client was satisfied and the project was completed on schedule.

A special thanks to our dedicated field superintendent, Romulo, and the talented team of painters whose meticulous work was essential in bringing this innovative space to life.

Cochran & Mann: Mission Accomplished 

Montgomery College is a cornerstone institution in the community, providing vital resources for individuals to enhance their skills and secure employment opportunities. Cochran & Mann stands proud, having played a pivotal role in shaping these innovative spaces.

About Cochran & Mann
Cochran & Mann is a family-owned business specializing in paint and wall coverings for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. Though we've grown significantly since 1990, we remain a family-owned and operated business guided by transparency, reliability, responsiveness, craftsmanship, and loyalty principles.