{"id":7414,"date":"2022-02-19T04:49:28","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T21:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/?p=7414"},"modified":"2022-02-22T11:44:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T04:44:09","slug":"accs-rio-grande-campus-reopens-after-49-million-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/accs-rio-grande-campus-reopens-after-49-million-renovation\/","title":{"rendered":"ACC\u2019s Rio Grande Campus Reopens After $49 Million Renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Story by Jonathan Gonzales<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Edited by Pete Ramirez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Austin Community College\u2019s Rio Grande campus reopened for the fall 2021 semester in a limited capacity after undergoing renovations that began four years ago during the fall of 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The building that makes up ACC\u2019s Rio Grande Campus has been around for more than 100 years and with an injection of $49 million worth of renovations, has been reconfigured into a high-tech home for higher learning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The upgraded building sits on a rectangular block in downtown Austin off of Rio Grande Street and 12th Street now boasts 60 classrooms and an ACCelerator similar to the one at ACC\u2019s Highland campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Rear-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A large three story building that was built in the early 1900s fills the frame. This is ACC's Rio Grande Campus' rear entrance.\" class=\"wp-image-7422\" width=\"529\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Rear-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Rear-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Rear-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Rear-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><figcaption>The rear entrance to ACC\u2019s Rio Grande campus faces West Street in downtown Austin. Photo by Pete Ramirez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An interesting challenge that the architects and contractors tasked with renovating the building had to overcome was what to do with the two open-air courtyards that sit in the middle of the structure. They decided to use a hybrid Teflon material to create tent domes over the courtyards and add air conditioning which created two beautiful, large spaces inside of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-67-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"7431\" data-link=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/accs-rio-grande-campus-reopens-after-49-million-renovation\/rio_grande-67\/\" class=\"wp-image-7431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-67-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-67-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-67-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-67-1200x1800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption>One of two indoor courtyards at the Rio Grande campus.\nPhoto by Pete Ramirez<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Indoor_Courtyard-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A huge indoor courtyard inside of ACC's Rio Grande campus.\" data-id=\"7428\" data-link=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/accs-rio-grande-campus-reopens-after-49-million-renovation\/rio_grande_indoor_courtyard-1\/\" class=\"wp-image-7428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Indoor_Courtyard-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Indoor_Courtyard-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Indoor_Courtyard-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Indoor_Courtyard-1-1200x1800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption>One of Rio Grande&#8217;s two large, ac-equipped indoor courtyard areas where students and faculty will be able to relax.\nPhoto by Pete Ramirez<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rio Grande building first opened in 1916 and served as Allan Junior High. In 1925, the building became the home of Austin High School, and later in 1975, it became another of Austin Community College\u2019s campuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After hearing about the upgrades planned for the campus, Dr. Roy Casagranda, an ACC professor in the government\/history department, was ecstatic. Dr. Casagranda has been teaching for 20 years and has seen many changes come to the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Capital-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"A view from inside an empty classroom at the Rio Grande campus. Through the window you can see a sunny afternoon and the Texas Capitol dome.\" class=\"wp-image-7417\" width=\"535\" height=\"401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Capital-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Capital-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Capital-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande_Capital-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><figcaption>The view from one of the newly renovated classrooms has a sightline directly to the Texas Capitol. Photo by Dr. Casagranda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Casagranda took his first steps into the campus to check on the status of the redesign, he said he was \u201cspeechless.\u201d The interior was exquisite and completely new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;Casagranda loved the new library, the well-equipped labs and the spacious pristine classrooms. Casagranda\u2019s favorite thing about the entire renovation was the exterior which now includes multiple areas where students and faculty can use to study and lounge. According to Casagranda, the campus faculty has plans to create a garden outside and display art from students within the halls of the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-64-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An image of an empty classroom. The room is clean, has large windows and new furniture.\" class=\"wp-image-7426\" width=\"533\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-64-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-64-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-64-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-64-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><figcaption>ACC&#8217;s Rio Grande campus features 60 classrooms each filled with brand new furniture and equipment.\nPhoto by Pete Ramirez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rio Grande campus is open from 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Students can park in the parking garage located one block to the west of the Rio Grande campus by the No-Comply skate shop. The ACC Bookstore is not available at this campus yet and the ACCelerator is not yet ready for students to use either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As construction nears completion in 2023, the campus will continue to provide many opportunities for students to gain their education. It has brought joy to Austin-area students and faculty for more than 100 years and it\u2019s now well prepared to continue to serve the community for another 100 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-40-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An outdoor image of the side of ACC's Rio Grande campus. There are large steps of limestone that lead into an outdoor lounge area for students.\" class=\"wp-image-7424\" width=\"535\" height=\"357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-40-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-40-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-40-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/157\/2022\/02\/Rio_Grande-40-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 535px) 100vw, 535px\" \/><figcaption>A new outdoor space at Austin Community College&#8217;s Rio Grande campus where students and teachers can lounge and study.\nPhoto by Pete Ramirez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Story by Jonathan Gonzales Edited by Pete Ramirez Austin Community College\u2019s Rio Grande campus reopened for the fall 2021 semester in a limited capacity after undergoing renovations that began four years ago during the fall of 2017. The building that makes up ACC\u2019s Rio Grande Campus has been around for more than 100 years and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4103,"featured_media":7415,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[38,772,1301,98,100,1302,1299,1303,817,293,1305,1296,1304,502],"class_list":["post-7414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-acc","tag-accelerator","tag-allan-junior-high","tag-austin","tag-austin-community-college","tag-austin-high-school","tag-downtown-austin","tag-dr-roy-casagranda","tag-highland","tag-highland-campus","tag-no-comply-skate-shop","tag-renovation","tag-rio-grande","tag-rio-grande-campus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7414\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/accent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}