Bond projects update: Highland moves forward; Leander groundbreaking; Elgin, Hays CMR selected

Austin Community College has completed conceptual plans for Phase II of ACC Highland and is moving forward with architectural programming and design.

Volunteers simulated students moving between classes so engineers could test floor vibration.

Volunteers simulated students moving between classes so engineers could test floor vibration.

The ACC Highland Phase II steering committee met March 11 to begin discussing the particular needs of the programs that will be housed in the facility, from performance space for dance and theater, to culinary arts requirements, to simulation space and other special equipment needs for health sciences.

Engineers recently tested portions of the upper level of the Phase II space to address any potential issues from floor vibration. Vibration caused by walking and rhythmic movements (such as dancing) can be a concern where sensitive procedures and equipment require ultra-low vibration environments.

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The Highland Mall signboard was removed in early March as preparation work continues on the renovation project.

Crews also removed the Highland Mall Airport Blvd. signboard, marking another bittersweet milestone in the facility’s transition. The Facilities and Construction Office has identified other mall remnants that can be reused and serve as reminders of the building’s history, and storefront glass has been removed for salvage and reuse.

 

 

Save the date for Leander groundbreaking

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The new Leander Campus will be at Hwy. 183A and Hero Way.

ACC will host a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new Leander campus Thursday, April 21, at the campus site at Hwy. 183A and Hero Way. Construction is expected to begin in the fall and take about two years.

Elgin, Hays CMR selected

At their March 7 regular meeting, ACC’s Board of Trustees selected DPR Construction as the construction manager at risk (CMR) for the Elgin Phase II project. DPR was one of three finalists considered out of the four submitted proposals. Some of the firm’s other recent projects include the University of Texas at Austin Animal Resources Center and the animal holding and procedure rooms at UT-Austin’s Neural and Molecular Science building.

The Elgin Phase II project focuses on specialized facilities for ACC’s Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Veterinary Technology programs. Vet Tech facilities will adhere to standards for boarding and treating animals ranging from small pets to horses and cattle.

Trustees also selected JT Vaughn Construction as the CMR for the Hays Campus Phase II project. The firm, one of three finalists considered out of 10 submitted proposals, has completed more than 600 projects at higher education institutions.

The Hays Phase II project will provide first-responder training facilities for the region. Current plans include a swift-water rescue course, an indoor firing range, an almost 16-acre emergency vehicle operators course, simunitions training space where threatening or emergency scenarios can be created in a controlled environment, and simulated emergency operations training.

Follow the progress of these and other bond projects at:

austincc.edu/bond
austincc.edu/faoadmin/projects.php

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