Board OKs plan to
buy land for south campus
Special to the News-Register
15-acre site at Shady Grove and MacArthur ideal property for growth
of South Irving Center
The Board of Trustees of the Dallas County Community Colleges adopted a resolution at the Jan. 10, 2006, meeting to proceed with the acquisition of property at the intersection of Shady Grove and MacArthur Boulevard in Irving through condemnation to build a south campus at that site, said the center's executive dean, Rene Castilla.
The South Irving Center, currently located at the intersection of Nursery Road and Irving Blvd., will build a new $10.2 million facility on the 15-acre site as part of the District's Capitol Improvement Plan for North Lake College.
The property is located in a strategic area for reaching the target populations of Irving wh are not being served by North Lake College's main campus. The owners are Albertson, Inc., and Shady Grove Partners. The existing property includes a shopping center and an adult day care center.
A panel appointed by the Commissioners Court will establish the appropriate price to be paid by the District, he said.
Concerning the status of the land purchase, Bob Brown, the vice chancellor for business affairs, said, "We are always open and hopeful to reach a negotiated settlement, but we are continuing with eminent domain proceedings."
North Lake College South, as it will be called, will offer educational opportunities for adults in need of basic skills, language acquisition, and job skills, said Castilla. Technical programs and continuing education offerings will be carefully selected to refl ect workforce demands and to provide students with career lattices/ladders. These programs will be aligned with degree and certifi cate programs offered by the college as much as possible to ensure that students have an avenue for continuing their education, he said.
Freshman and sophomore academic transfer courses will be offered to meet local demand.
Comprehensive support services will be provided including advising, registration, payment and financial aid. Learning resources will include access to library holdings and computers. Auxiliary services will include food service and bookstore. Police protection and technology support will also be provided.
"Partnerships will be developed to increase educational opportunities for students and to foster the economic development of the area," said Castilla.
Partnerships with the Irving ISD, Irving Chamber of Commerce, City of, City of Irving, and Dallas County WorkSource Board will be a priority.
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