Dallas College’s Billion-Dollar Bond: El Centro’s Transformation Begins
Dallas County voters approved a monumental $1.1 billion education bond in 2019, kicking off one of the largest community college investments in Texas history. Despite a lawsuit that temporarily stalled progress, Dallas College is now moving full steam ahead, with exciting developments on the horizon for the flagship El Centro Campus and beyond. Local residents can anticipate significant improvements designed to shape the future of education and workforce development in our city.
A Historic Investment in Local Education
Six years after its approval, Dallas College is poised to unveil the fruits of its massive $1.1 billion bond package. This ambitious project, supported by Dallas County voters in 2019, aims to transform the community college system across its seven campuses. Planning has been meticulous, and Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon recently announced that the development partner for the expanded El Centro Campus is set to be selected by spring.
Why This Bond Matters for Dallas
The transformation funded by this bond is crucial for preparing Dallas students for living wage jobs and addressing statewide educational goals. El Centro, which serves over 30,000 students and boasts the largest network of Bloomberg terminals of any two-year college nationally, plays a vital role in this mission. Dallas College also partners with local school districts, offering students the unique opportunity to earn free associate’s degrees before graduating high school, directly contributing to the state’s target of producing 550,000 graduates annually by 2030.
Community colleges receive state funds based on student outcomes like degrees and certificates completed, further highlighting the bond’s importance in enhancing educational pathways and student success.
Understanding the Numbers and Progress So Far
The $1.1 billion bond is strategically divided to maximize its impact:
- $235 million for industry-aligned workforce projects and programs.
- $332 million for student-related instruction and success programs.
- $535 million for the Dallas Education and Innovation Hub.
In Phase 1 of the program, Dallas College has already invested over $325 million, creating more than 500,000 square feet of academic and innovation space across its campuses and workforce centers. This initial phase has modernized facilities and significantly expanded workforce training capacities.
Key Milestones and What’s Next
Timeline of Progress and Future Plans
While a lawsuit briefly delayed implementation, Dallas County Judge Charles Stokes dismissed the challenge in December 2020, allowing projects to proceed. Dallas College is slated to complete Phase 1 of the bond program by the end of this year, which included the completion of the Mountain View Campus Early College building and nine other projects across six campuses.
El Centro’s revitalization is a centerpiece of Phase 2, officially named the “Dallas College Downtown Development Project.” This next phase promises a new downtown space that integrates with Dallas’s urban landscape.
Transformative Impact on Downtown Dallas and Beyond
The Dallas College Downtown Development Project is set to create a new El Centro campus within a vibrant mixed-use development. This vision includes housing, retail, and office space, designed to attract entrepreneurs, startups, and students to a walkable downtown district.
A major component is the new Dallas Education and Innovation Hub downtown, featuring a business training center and the redesigned El Centro campus. This hub will serve as a critical technology and innovation center, supporting growing businesses and assisting entrepreneurs. Additionally, the bond includes plans for a new health sciences center of excellence in the medical district, and a new 45,000-square-foot early college high school on the Mountain View Campus is opening next month, allowing high school students to earn college credits.
Dallas College Bond Programs Throughout History
The 2019 bond is only the third in Dallas College’s history, showcasing its significance:
| Year | Bond Amount | Primary Impact / Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | $41.5 million | Financed the creation of the community college system itself. |
| 2004 | $450 million | Resulted in 28 new buildings and five new community campuses by 2010. |
| 2019 | $1.1 billion | Funds the system-wide transformation, including the new El Centro Campus and Education and Innovation Hub. |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bond
- When was the bond approved by voters?
Dallas County voters approved the $1.1 billion bond in 2019. - Why was there a delay in bond projects?
Implementation was briefly delayed by a lawsuit, which Dallas County Judge Charles Stokes dismissed in December 2020 due to insufficient evidence of election irregularities. - What is the Dallas Education and Innovation Hub?
It’s a new downtown facility planned as part of the bond, featuring a business training center and the redesigned El Centro campus, serving as a technology and innovation center for businesses and entrepreneurs. - How will El Centro Campus change?
El Centro will see a major expansion and redesign, becoming a new campus within a mixed-use development downtown, complete with housing, retail, and office space to attract a vibrant community. - What other major projects are included?
Besides El Centro, plans include a new health sciences center for excellence in the medical district and a new early college high school on the Mountain View Campus.
This bond represents a pivotal moment for Dallas College and the wider community, promising enhanced educational opportunities and a revitalized downtown landscape for future generations of North Texans.
Dallas College Bond Fuels El Centro Campus Transformation
