ACC Hays campus to open spring 2014

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Austin Community College is broke ground June 27 on its Hays campus, celebrating its expected opening in spring 2014.

Officials broke ground at 10 a.m. at the Hays Consolidated Independent School District Performing Arts Center.

“With the unparalleled growth in the Buda-Kyle area, the Hays Campus promises to be a flagship campus in the ACC system,” Dick Schneider, retired president of the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce, told the audience. “Our future is here and now.”

They are celebrating closing the bonds and confirming that ACC Hays campus is scheduled to open just in time for the spring semester.

The bond issuance is roughly $45 million with $10 million out of that to cover the cost of the 96-acre land buy.

The leftover $35 million will go to campus construction. ACC officials said the building will be around 88,300 square feet.

ACC got an interest rate of 4.17 percent, which is the lowest rate for construction in the college’s history.

“The interest rate is a great benefit to the college and a reflection of our strong fiscal position,” said Ben Ferrell, executive vice president of ACC.

“While the legal challenge recently resolved in the college’s favor led to a smaller bond issuance than originally planned, this campus will deliver on all of the college’s promises to Hays CISD voters," he added. "It will be a source of pride for both ACC and the community."

Plans on finalizing details near as global architecture and consulting firm Gensler sent the college a 100-percent construction document for one final review cycle by ACC officials.

They will be reviewing the interior and exterior finish selections and approving the materials and color palettes for the campus.

With the budget for the campus now set, ACC officials are negotiating a construction contract with Flintco Construction Solutions.

The Hays campus is located in the Plum Creek area, near the intersection of Kohler's Crossing and FM 1626 in Buda. The building will be able to hold up to 2,000 students.

The campus will provide a central location for students in the Buda area and will provide them required core educational and transfer coursework.

More than 200 programs will be offered at this campus, giving the opportunity for students to get Associate Degrees. This will be the 10th fully serviced ACC campus.

Some amenities offered on the new campus:

• comprehensive student services suite
• welcome center and areas for admission
• financial aid and veteran services
• advisors and councilors
• disability services
• campus management offices
• police suite
• cashiers suite
• learning lab with free tutoring
• computer science labs
• biology and chemistry labs
• fully outfitted library
• student commons area