For immediate release — February 2007

(DALLAS) — The Dallas County Community College District has purchased more than 15 acres of land in south Irving for one of its new community education campuses as part of DCCCD’s current bond program. The property, which is located at 1009 Shady Grove Road (the corner of Shady Grove and MacArthur Boulevard), contains a vacant strip retail facility and metal warehouse which both will be demolished in three to four months; the current building size is 66,670 square feet. DCCCD’s board of trustees approved the purchase during a recent monthly meeting.

North Lake College will oversee the new center, the North Lake College-South community campus.

“We are extremely pleased to secure this location for our new community education campus,” said Ed DesPlas, DCCCD vice chancellor for business affairs. “The bond program that Dallas County voters approved in 2004 included five new education centers for people who live in underserved or fast-growing areas. Both DCCCD and community members are excited that the facility will move forward with this land acquisition.”

The 15.62-acre purchase from Shady Grove LP and Albertson’s was brokered by Lou Miranda of United Commercial Realty. The cost of the two properties for the new NCL community education campus was $4.2 million.

A community forum was held Feb. 8 at the Irving Central Library so that members of the general public could share their thoughts about the new facility.

“The North Lake College-South campus in Irving will be a comprehensive facility that provides college credit classes for degree-seeking students, as well as continuing education courses for adults who want to improve their job skills or study for cultural enrichment or recreational enjoyment,” said Dr. Herlinda Glasscock, NLC’s president. “The campus also will offer courses for nontraditional students who are seeking programs that fit their work schedules.”

She added, “The site was selected because it is convenient for students and businesses in south Irving and surrounding areas. The college also will coordinate with the city of Irving and the Irving/Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce on economic development partnerships and small business development initiatives.”

North Lake College projects that approximately 300 to 400 students will enroll at the new center, which should open in spring 2009. The campus will offer core curriculum classes in government, history and English, plus workforce development, continuing education and GED testing.

For more information, contact DesPlas at (972) 860-7752 or Janis Browing in the NLC office of marketing and public information at (972) 273-3005.

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Press contact: Ann Hatch, 214-860-2478