Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: District-Wide Goals

Section 3: South Campus

Section 4: Northeast Campus

Section 5: Northwest Campus

Section 6: Southeast Campus

Appendix

Section 1: Introduction

Introduction

In June 2004, Tarrant County College District (TCCD) engaged the Architectural, Engineering and Planning firm of Freese and Nichols to produce a Facilities Master Plan for all four of TCCD’s campuses. The analyses and recommendations were to consider, as much as possible, the impact of a new fifth campus planned for downtown Fort Worth.

This document is the first comprehensive facilities master plan prepared for the TCCD campuses. Three of the four campuses are around 30-years-old and are in need of major renovations and additions. While one campus is fairly new, it has far exceeded its projected enrollment and is in need of expansion.

In Fall 2000, TCCD was ranked the seventh largest community college or university in Texas. By Fall 2001, credit enrollment totaled 28,852 students. This year, Fall 2004 enrollment totaled 34,586. Demographic projections and trends show that enrollments will continue to increase on each of the four campuses. Therefore, this Master Plan is timely, not only to assess each campus and its needs today but to address its future needs and how to best grow in a planned, organized manner.

Purpose

The purpose of the Facilities Master Plan is to provide a process for TCCD to make informed decisions, manage growth in an orderly fashion, and guide the physical evolution of the campuses. This capacity to manage vital information provides TCCD the ability to maximize choices. The master planning process engages, involves and energizes participants, builds consensus, and provides a roadmap to the future growth of the college district.

This plan is designed to help TCCD continue to develop functional and aesthetically- pleasing campuses. The quality of the campus environment will continue to improve as an asset for attracting the best faculty, students, and staff; thereby, complementing the academic quality of TCCD. This plan is a working document designed to provide the framework for current and future development of the built environment for the college. This master plan is designed to provide TCCD with a roadmap for capital improvement projects over the next decade and beyond.

Background/History

In the early 1960s, citizens seriously began considering the formation of a junior college district in Northeast Tarrant County. On July 31, 1965, the voters of Tarrant County approved the sale of $18,144,000 in bonds for construction, elected a seven-member Board of Trustees, and approved taxes for debt service and operations. These actions resulted in the creation of the Tarrant County Junior College District. The word “Junior” remained until the Board of Trustees voted in February 1999 to change the name to Tarrant County College.

South Campus

In December 1965, the Board announced acquisition of land for the multiple-campus district and commissioned architects to begin planning the first two units. The first campus to be built was South Campus located on a 158.5-acre site off Loop 820 and Campus Drive in south Fort Worth. The original 13 buildings were completed in September 1967. Six more buildings were built in the 1970s, three more were built in the 1980’s, and the last building to be built on South Campus was in 1991.

Northeast Campus

The second campus to be constructed was Northeast Campus. Northeast Campus is a 187-acre site located in Hurst, Texas between Hwy. 26 (Grapevine Hwy) and Precinct Line Road. Work on the Northeast Campus started in the summer of 1967. Ten original buildings were operational in 1968. Since that time, six more were built in the 1970s, two more were added in the 1980s, and one was built in 1996. The last building to be constructed was the District Physical Plant offices in 2002.

Northwest Campus

In December 1968, the College was given 193 acres of land in northwest Tarrant County for a third campus. The Northwest Campus, located off Loop 820 and Marine Creek Parkway, was built in 1975. Originally, the campus consisted of six main connected buildings and four ancillary buildings. Five buildings were added in the 1980s, one building in 1991, and the Fire Service Training Center, with two major buildings and numerous ancillary structures, was constructed in 2002.

Southeast Campus

In Fall 1987, TCCD purchased a 123-acre site near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Texas 360 for an Arlington campus. Tarrant County voters approved a bond package in August 1993 allowing for the construction of the Southeast Campus, which opened Fall 1996. The original campus had one large connected building with 337,580 SF. Three additional buildings were added in 2000. In December 2001, the College District purchased an additional 40.48 acres adjacent to the 123-acre campus.

Teams

Tarrant County College District Facilities Master Plan Committee:

Freese and Nichols:

Project Approach/Process

The planning team and Tarrant County College District staff developed a methodology for the planning process. The process included five phases of work comprised of Mobilization, Data Gathering, Analysis, Review and Recommendations.

Mobilization

During the Mobilization Phase, a Master Plan Committee, comprised of the Chancellor, Campus Presidents, Physical Plant staff, and other college leadership, was established by TCCD to review and approve the ongoing progress of the master plan. Bi-weekly meetings were held throughout the duration of the plan.

A Web site was established as a means of communication between the college and the public and to publish a digital copy of the final plan during the process.

Data Gathering

During the Data Gathering Phase, the planning team collected and compiled a large amount of data to provide as much background information as necessary to adequately assess each campus. The planning team collected site data, facility assessments, previous enrollment trends, and previous reports and plans. The team also conducted campus walk-throughs and numerous interview sessions during this phase.

Interview Sessions

The planning team conducted interview sessions with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and the community. The sessions were typically all-day sessions held on each of the campuses. The sessions were well attended and the team received a tremendous amount of information and input.

Questionnaires and Public Forum Web Site

The planning team used a questionnaire and an on-line public forum comment page to receive a great amount of detail and specific comments regarding the master plan. The team received 1,160 responses to the questionnaire with specific answers and comments pertinent to the master plan.

Facility Condition Assessment

TCCD retained 3D/I to perform a Level 2 Facilities Condition Assessment of all four campuses for TCCD in August 2004. The scope of this assessment included deferred maintenance, functional adequacy, equipment inventory, space inventory and ADA Title 11 compliance issues. The purpose of the assessment was to gather deficiency data to determine the overall condition of the buildings. Freese and Nichols used this assessment for background information and as a basis for renovation costs included in the master plan.

Enrollment Trends

Higher education enrollment is increasing in the state of Texas. According to statistics from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Public Community and Technical Colleges awarded 29,597 associate degrees and 20,410 certificates in Fiscal Year 2003. In addition, Texas Public Community and Technical Colleges accounted for the majority of the state’s higher education enrollment growth. By these records, the Fall 2003 enrollments at Texas Public Community and Technical College institutions totaled 536,005 students. This represents an increase of 20,234 more students from Fall 2002 records. In addition, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Closing the Gaps report has set a statewide goal of enrolling 150,000 additional students by 2005.

Tarrant County College District has seen a similar growth pattern. The Fall 1998 enrollment was 25,432 students. The Fall 2003 enrollment was 34,586 students. That represents an increase of 36% just within the past 5 years. This increase in enrollment stresses the need for additional facilities. Future enrollment projections indicate TCCD will not be able to meet projected enrollment goals without additional resources.

Analysis

During the Analysis Phase, the planning team studied each campus to determine opportunities, constraints, strengths and weaknesses. The team quantified, qualified and evaluated the data to develop optimum solutions. Choices made in the Analysis Phase helped to guide the development of concepts during the next phase of work.

Review

During the Review Phase, the planning team generated analysis maps and planning concepts for each campus. Interactive workshops held between the planning team and the Master Plan Committee generated dialogue and feedback that led to alternatives which were presented at subsequent meetings. After further review, the planning team refined the concepts for TCCD.

Recommendations

In the Recommendations Phase, the planning team presented the final master plan. TCCD representatives and the planning team discussed estimates of cost and phasing strategies. All necessary graphics and narratives have been included to ensure the clarity of purpose of the recommendations and to assist the administration in generating support for the plan. The final master plan documents have been prepared and printed and made available for distribution.