The needs of our students and the Central Texas community look different today than they did pre-pandemic, which is when most of the original work and studies that guided what would be included in Austin Community College District’s (ACC) 2022 general obligation bond took place. To evaluate these changes, the College took an intentional pause on most campus construction projects when Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart came on board as the new Chancellor in fall 2023. Now, we have more clarity, and the College is moving forward.
Administration provided trustees with a brief update on projects included in the 2022 general obligation (GO) bond and the 2021 maintenance & operations (MO) tax note during their Monday, September 6, work session.
Why the Pause?
While there is still a lot of truth to the data that led to the original bond proposal, our community has also grown and changed in this post-COVID economy. During the pause, the College took time to connect with students and the community and learn more about what is wanted and needed from ACC now.
The College examined a few key areas, including:
- Where our students live and come from.
- Where our students are taking classes.
- How our students prefer to attend their classes.
The College has been identifying opportunities to align its growth with ways that can better support students and the emerging needs of the community.
What’s Different Now
What the College discovered is that ACC enrollment has shifted outside of the Austin city limits in sort of a crescent shape with much of the growth to the north, east, and south of Austin. In 2009, 54% of ACC’s enrollment came from the top ZIP codes in Austin. This year, that number dropped to 14%.
The College also found that more students are leaning toward online learning or a mix of online and in-person courses. In fall 2024, distance education is the most popular enrollment location at 47%.
Additionally, Central Texas has seen tremendous growth in the advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and IT software development sectors. The labor market needs in these areas are driving our projects forward.
Below, you can see what’s planned for many of our campuses.
Hays Campus
ACC budgeted $100 million of the 2022 GO bond to build facilities to support health sciences programs at Hays Campus. The project started as planned in 2023, with the board approving the architect and construction manager at risk before work paused in the fall.
Now that work is resuming, the College is moving forward with the following plans for the campus:
- New Building 5000 for the following programs
- Nursing program ADN, LVN, and BSN
- Surgical Tech
- Radiology Tech
- Phlebotomy
- EMS (Paramedic)
- Pharm Tech
- Nursing pre-requisite classes and Allied Health
- Campus Central Utility Plant
- Parking and roads to serve the campus
Southeast Travis County
$200 million of the bond program was dedicated to a new campus in southeast Travis County. Trustees approved the selection of a project architectural firm and construction manager at risk last summer.
Work can now move ahead on the new center, which will be focused on skilled trades and include the following:
- New Auto Collision & Automotive Technology building
- New Building Construction Technology & HART building
- New Welding & Advanced Manufacturing building
- Campus Central Utility Plant
- Parking and roads to serve the campus
- Site development and utilities
Highland Campus
ACC dedicated $100 million from the 2022 GO bond program to Highland Campus. Administration shared its proposal to create new centers that support the whole student, including a community health clinic and wellness center.
Plans include turning Building 5000 (the former Macy’s) into:
- A health clinic
- ACC Wellness Center with:
- A fitness facility
- Expanded basic needs spaces
- Mental & social services spaces
- Student Life engagement spaces
Currently underway at Highland as part of the maintenance tax note program is an Audio, Technology & Industry music studio.
Round Rock Campus
The $50 million expansion of applied technologies at Round Rock continues after receiving approval from the board about a year ago. Trustees approved the lead architecture firm to guide the expansion in April 2023 and the Construction Manager at Risk last summer. Renderings were shared when the design process was completed in June 2024.
There will be a sizeable expansion to the automotive, welding, and advanced manufacturing programs that includes:
- New Building 4000 for Automotive Technology
- Renovating Building 5000 to expand Welding program
- New Building 5500 for the Advanced Manufacturing and Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology (HART) programs as well as shell space for an electrical or semiconductor program.
Also in progress at Round Rock is the renovation of the first floor of Building 1000 as part of the MO program. The work includes a new Welcome Center for prospective students, a new Student Care Center, and renovations to the Student Services areas, Campus Police, Campus Administration, Duplication, and Mailroom. Work started in May of this year, and the new spaces are estimated to open by fall 2025.
Eastview Campus
The expansion of the Dental Hygiene program at Eastview Campus is in progress and expected to open fall 2025. Trustees approved the construction manager in June 2024.
The expansion is part of the 2022 GO bond program and includes:
- The addition of 16 operatories
- The renovation of existing clinical support spaces
- The renovation of existing student, faculty, and staff spaces
Districtwide
Underway districtwide as part of the 2022 GO bond program is an ADA and Universal Design study.
Projects in progress as part of the 2021 MO program include:
- Energy & Sustainability projects (lighting, metering, etc.)
- IT projects (wireless access, emergency notification, etc.)