Tarrant County College District purchases Radio Shack

by PegNews wire

FORT WORTH — The Tarrant County College District announced Wednesday it has purchased the downtown Fort Worth Radio Shack complex from KanAm Grund. Purchase price for the property and buildings is $238 million and will be paid in cash. The buildings and property will be used by TCC for a new Fort Worth downtown campus. An $80 million renovation will begin this year and classes are planned to start in September 2009. The purchase will not affect construction of the TCC facility underway on the south bluff of the Trinity River in downtown Fort Worth. Construction north of the Trinity River will no longer be necessary.

“By purchasing the Radio Shack property, we have more space for our growing student and faculty populations, we have better facilities, we can open a downtown Fort Worth campus quicker and our new campus will bring us cost certainty. The combined costs of buying and renovating the Radio Shack complex and completing the facilities on the south side of the river are the same cost as if we completed our facilities on the north and south sides of the river. With this decision we achieve cost certainty and gain over 300,000 additional square feet and 1700 additional parking spaces,” said TCC Chancellor Dr. Leonardo de la Garza.

Once ongoing construction is complete on the south bluff site building, TCC officials expect it to house the district’s administrative offices, distance learning services, continuing education classes and a conference center.

“The Radio Shack facilities are uniquely suited for a college campus,” said Chuck Nixon, AIA, a principal in the Fort Worth office of Jacobs Carter Burgess Inc., and the architectural consultant for the Radio Shack facility study commissioned by the College. Nixon said an intensive evaluation of the Radio Shack buildings by the firm indicates that a portion of the space as currently configured is immediately useable for college programs. In addition, the office buildings are easily adaptable to classroom and faculty space.

“The Radio Shack buildings especially meet the college’s technology needs,” he said. “Raised floors throughout the complex satisfy technology and communication needs and the small number of fixed walls reduce renovation costs. We will add some heating, air conditioning and ventilation to generate more air flow, retro-fit existing space for laboratories and increase the number of restroom facilities in certain areas in addition to other minor changes. All in all, TCC is purchasing facilities ideally suited for its mission.”

TCC Board President Louise Appleman says the purchase allows the College to better achieve its mission of providing affordable and open access to quality teaching and learning. “Our board always works diligently to serve Tarrant County College students, faculty, and staff while also serving the taxpayers and the educational needs of our community. The decision to purchase the Radio Shack complex and turn it into our downtown college campus allows us to educate more students in better facilities sooner. This action is in keeping with our mission, will achieve cost certainty and will expand our presence in the Trinity River area.”

Chancellor de la Garza emphasized, “The Radio Shack purchase will not require a property tax increase for homeowners and will not delay expansion and extensive improvements on TCC’s other four campuses. Importantly, TCC reserve funds will remain strong. I am especially proud that we will continue to expand educational opportunities for citizens in a largely underserved part of our community.”

Posted by SG