June 7, 2005
(DALLAS)
– Members of the board of trustees for the Dallas County Community
College District unanimously approved the purchase of 35.8 acres of land
in Coppell where the system will build a new education campus. The
facility – which will be named the North Lake College-North Campus – is
one of five education centers in DCCC’s current bond program.
In
May 2004, Dallas County voters approved a $450 million bond program for
Dallas County Community Colleges; that facilities master plan includes
new buildings on all campuses, plus five new locations in either
underserved or fast-growing areas of Dallas County, with some expansions
or safety/ADA upgrades throughout DCCC’s facilities. These new
facilities – including the new Coppell site – will offer credit and
continuing education classes, plus services such as career development
and workforce development programs.
“The purchase of this land
signals continuing progress for both Dallas County Community Colleges
and the Irving/Coppell area,” said Jerry Prater, chair of the DCCCD
board of trustees. “It represents an educational and community
partnership that will help us enrich lives and build community.”
Dr.
Jesus “Jess” Carreon, the system’s chancellor, added, “We are very
excited, and we look forward to working with local government, chambers
of commerce, civic and community groups, and all citizens who believe
that education is the foundation of our future success. This campus
represents that success in a rapidly growing sector of Dallas County.”
The
property is located at the southeast corner of State Highway 121 and
Sandy Lake Road in Coppell. Trustees approved an agreement with
Billingsley 121 Coppell Ltd. to purchase the undeveloped parcel for
$8,656,870. The site will provide significant exposure because of the
growing population in that area.
Since fall 2004, a number of
realtors have researched locations for the new education
campuses. Property bought in the Coppell area represents the second
parcel of undeveloped land purchased under the bond program for DCCC’s
sites.
“We have selected an area that will provide educational
and career development opportunities for [people] who will attend the
new campus as students of North Lake College,” said Carreon.
“The
North Lake College-North Campus in Coppell will be a comprehensive
facility that provides college credit classes for degree-seeking
students, plus continuing education classes for adults who want to
improve their job skills, learn new skills or study for cultural
enrichment or recreational enjoyment,” said Dr. Herlinda Glasscock,
president of NLC. “The campus also will help nontraditional students who
are seeking programs that fit their nontraditional work schedules, as
well as companies that want to retrain their employees at a geographical
site which is convenient to students in Coppell and surrounding areas.
“We
also will establish partnerships with the business community, the
chamber of commerce and the Coppell Independent School District, as we
have with the city of Coppell,” she added. “In fact, North Lake College
recently entered into an agreement with Coppell to deliver all staff
development and training for the city’s employees.”
Other new
campuses will be located in these general areas: Garland, Pleasant
Grove, south Irving and west Dallas. Land for those locations – except
Garland – has not been purchased to date.
For more information, contact the DCCC office of the chancellor at 214-860-2125.
Press contact: Ann Hatch, 214-860-2478