HCC approves move of Missouri City campus

Mar 3, 2015

The Houston Community College Board of Trustees has approved the $3.6 million purchase of 41 acres on Texas Parkway in Missouri City. The property, adjacent to Missouri City Hall, will be developed under the $425 million HCC Groundbreaker Bond Program.

This action represents the culmination of more than six months of collaborative effort between the staff and trustees of Houston community college, Missouri City leadership, and Fort Bend County elected officials.

“The relocation of the HCC Missouri City campus to Texas parkway will support the continued growth of the city as well as be a positive catalyst for growth and vitality along Texas Parkway,” said Joseph Esch, Missouri City executive director of economic development, who also noted that potential benefits of the project have been discussed among city council members.

“This gives HCC the ability to move its presence closer to its student base, gives us a focal point for development along Texas Parkway, and allows the previously non-taxable land HCC-owned in Sienna Plantation, to be developed and placed on the tax rolls of Fort Bend County and Missouri City."

The new LEED Silver, energy-efficient building will replace an existing 48,000-square-foot structure adjacent to Sienna Plantation.

“Over the years residential development and multi-family housing have obscured the Sienna Plantation location and made it difficult for students to find us,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor. “The new location is closer to Highway 90 and on Texas Parkway and will be much more convenient for students, faculty and staff.”

The new building will have space to support more than 150 percent of the current course offerings and space for two university partners to offer programs beyond the Associates degree level. Negotiations with potential university partners are still under development.

According to officials, much of the time involved in planning to this point has revolved around meeting the needs of each partner in the transaction, while remaining in compliance with state law and the expectations of their respective constituents.

“I am pleased to see the board approved this move,” said Neeta Sane, trustee, District VII. “The easily-accessible location will open many more educational opportunities for our students and the community will benefit from HCC being there.”

Under the terms of the tentative agreement, HCC will sell the Sienna Plantation campus to Fort Bend County and the vacant land adjacent to it will be sold to a private developer. A benefactor will provide HCC with a difference between the property’s appraised value and its negotiated sale price.

The city and county as well as a municipal utility district will provide in-kind services at the new location to allow HCC to move with no financial loss.

“The great thing about the new location is that it provides a ready-made campus in that we have an agreement with the county to use the existing library and the city to use the existing community center to support students,” said Chuck Smith, HCC chief facilities officer.

This is not yet considered a done deal. While HCC has disclosed the outline, nothing becomes official until elected officials ratify all of the letters of intent currently in the negotiations.