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