South Irving Center to be built on
15.6-acre site

North Lake College-South is set to open in 2009, officials said. And the $14.2 million campus is expected to attract more than 300 students, many of them interested in workforce development, continuing education courses or high-school equivalency degrees.

“The Irving/Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce will be a primary partner and will probably co-locate with us at the new campus,” said Dr. Herlinda Glasscock, president of the North Lake system. “By that, I mean that we are developing offi ce space so that they can have a presence (at the satellite campus).”

The new southern campus will replace a vacant strip center near the intersection of Shady Grove Road and MacArthur Blvd. The land was purchased from Shady Grove LP and Albertson's for $4.2 million. The transaction was brokered by United Commercial Realty. Construction costs are estimated at $10 million.

Working students will find “programs that fit their work schedules,” Glasscock said, adding that many students may be able to find employment because of specialized training available at the facility.

“We have an opportunity to partner with area businesses and develop mentoring programs and customized training,” she said.

For students planning to eventually enter four-year schools, she said, core curriculum classes will be offered in government, history and English.

The new campus will include 23 classrooms and other facilities spread across 50,000 square feet of floor space.

Rene Castilla, dean of the existing South Irving Center and executive dean for the North Lake system's education partnership program, said he hopes the new campus will attract students whose transportation problems discouraged them from attending the main campus to the north. He will lead the new campus when it opens.

Training in computer software, customer service and business management will be offered at the new campus, Castilla said, adding that the site will assist economic development in the area.