ACC site in Kyle
The land is located in the Plum Creek area, near the intersection of Kohlers Crossing and Kyle Parkway (FM 1626). The property is adjacent to a future commuter rail line. The cost was $9.84 million; the seller is Mountain Plum, LTD.
North Hays County is a rapidly growing area, and ACC’s Master Plan calls for building a campus in that community to expand higher education and training opportunities.
“Acquiring this land now is a good investment,” says Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president/CEO. “We are and will continue to be the fastest growing institution of higher education in Central Texas. ACC must proactively plan for the future in order to continue meeting the vast and growing educational needs of the region we serve.”
The Kyle purchase is the last real estate negotiation among recent land-banking efforts, totaling approximately $35.4 million. In addition to the Kyle property, that sum includes land in Bastrop, Elgin, Leander, north central Austin, and San Marcos.
ACC has been undertaking land-banking as a proactive strategy to address growth needs within the college’s 7,000-square mile, eight-county service area. ACC’s Master Plan calls for campuses to be constructed in Bastrop, Elgin, San Marcos, and the north Hays County area, subject to successful annexation votes in those communities. Bastrop ISD, Elgin ISD, McDade ISD, Hays CISD, and San Marcos CISD are all currently considering joining the ACC taxing district. Only registered voters within each area will be eligible to vote in their community’s election this November.
The Master Plan also includes the future construction of a campus in Leander; Leander ISD is already part of the ACC taxing district. Other areas in the taxing district include the city of Austin and the Austin, Manor, Del Valle, and Round Rock independent school districts.
Recent purchases and contracts were announced via press releases which stated the purchase prices for all properties would be released after the final negotiation to ensure the best fiscal bargaining position for ACC.
“We firmly believe the college saved a significant amount of money by waiting to release the prices until the negotiations were complete,” Kinslow says. “Our chief concern is always to be good stewards of public funds.”
The locations, prices, and announcement dates of ACC’s recent land acquisitions are as follows:
- Bastrop, $3.19 million for 87 acres at FM 304 south of SH 71 (June 9).
- Elgin, $3.3 million for 98 acres at U.S. Highway 290 and County Line Road (May 18).
- Kyle, $9.84 million for 96 acres at Kohlers Crossing and Kyle Parkway (June 29).
- Leander, $12.4 million for 100 acres at Highway 183A and County Road 269 (May 13).
- North central Austin, $4 million for 18.5 acres and 194,000 sq. ft. building at Highland Mall; approximately $385,000 paid to RedLeaf Properties, LLC and sub-consultants for analysis and due diligence services (May 25).
ACC also has an existing agreement for land in San Marcos contingent upon a successful annexation effort. The property consists of about 72 acres near SH 123 and includes a partial donation of 51 acres. The selling price is expected to be approximately $2.3 million, based on fair market value.
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By eunice July 1, 2010 - 9:42 am
I live near san marcos, and I can’t wait for the new campus.(how long will this take ? )
By mreyes July 1, 2010 - 9:55 am
Hi Eunice, the college is committed to constructing a campus in San Marcos, but any firm plans depend on the results of the annexation proposal on the ballot in November. San Marcos CISD currently lies within ACC’s service area but is not yet part of the taxing district. If SMCISD voters approve annexation to the ACC district, a campus could open in 2013 or 2014.
By abby July 2, 2010 - 12:43 am
I am currently a student at acc and live in kyle, and I’m happy that the kyle will be apart of acc district soon. I know that it will take a while for the campus to be built, but I was wondering since kyle with be apart of the acc district by november, does that also mean for the 2011 spring I won’t have to pay out of district fees?
By mreyes July 2, 2010 - 10:51 am
Hi Abby, thank you for your question. If Hays CISD voters approve the annexation proposal on their November ballot, students will get the lower, in-district tuition rates for spring classes. Any students who already paid for spring classes will be refunded the difference between in-district and out-district tuition.
By eunice July 2, 2010 - 5:59 pm
Does the in district discount also apply for san Marcos area? (What can students do to help approve the proposal?)
By mreyes July 3, 2010 - 12:18 pm
Yes, voter approval in any of the areas considering annexation would clear the way for immediate, in-district benefits for their residents. You can learn more about the costs and benefits of annexation at the ACC annexation website.
By eunice July 3, 2010 - 2:29 pm
Thank you
By Bill Zilar July 9, 2010 - 9:52 am
Is there a meeting in Buda today regarding taxation and such? Can’t find info. on it.
By mreyes July 9, 2010 - 3:00 pm
Hi Bill, the ACC Board of Trustees hosted a public hearing in Hays CISD on Wednesday, July 7. If you were unable to attend, you can still share your thoughts with the ACC board by contacting them via Pat Stubbs at [email protected]. You also may view or download information handouts at austincc.edu/annexation.
By eunice July 11, 2010 - 8:59 pm
As soon as something happens whether it is aproved or not plz let us know thank you
By Joseph July 12, 2010 - 6:48 pm
This is a little off topic but since it’s concered with annexation I’ll throw it out there. Has ACC had talks with the Pflugerville I.S.D about joining? It seems odd we offer ACC centers at our high schools but are still out of district. I notice RR and all the other surrounding communities are but pflugerville is left out. What could I do to help pflugerville join so our students could pay in district.
By mreyes July 13, 2010 - 7:05 am
Joseph, the process to join the ACC District is initiated by residents like you. You can learn how communities bring annexation to referendum at http://www.austincc.edu/annexation/process.php.