Downtown Dallas Campus: A Fresh Start for Students

Downtown Dallas is getting a makeover, and education is at the heart of it. Dallas College is shaking things up with plans to redesign its El Centro Campus, a key player in the area for over 50 years. The college has picked four teams to compete for the project, with proposals expected in December. This isn't just about new buildings; it's about creating a space that attracts and retains students, boosts the local economy, and makes downtown Dallas a thriving hub. The college isn't working alone. Business leaders are also pushing to revitalize downtown, with big changes happening around the area. AT&T is looking for new office space, and the Magnolia Building is set to become a mix of apartments and a hotel. Even the future of the Neiman Marcus store is up in the air. All this shows that downtown Dallas is evolving, and the college's expansion is part of that change. But why the big change? Well, Dallas College wants to step up its game. After Amazon chose Virginia over Dallas for its headquarters, the college realized it needed to up its appeal. With the largest network of Bloomberg terminals in any two-year college, Dallas College is already a hotspot for finance and business. The redesign aims to make it even better, creating more space and opportunities for students and businesses alike. El Centro Campus has a rich history. It started in 1966 in a former department store, welcoming over 4, 000 students on its first day. Over the years, it's grown into a hub for nursing, workforce training, and early college education. It's even hosted some big names, like civil rights leader Julian Bond. The campus has always been a pioneer, from offering the first nursing program to installing rooftop wind turbines for clean energy. The campus's future looks bright, thanks to a $1. 1 billion bond approved by voters in 2019. This funding is set to transform not just El Centro, but the entire downtown area. The plan includes a new Education and Innovation Hub, a business training center, and more space for students and entrepreneurs. It's all about creating a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the future and supports the local economy. The college is also working on other projects, like a new health sciences center and an early college high school. With over 500, 000 square feet of new academic and innovation space already created, Dallas College is serious about its commitment to education and the community. The redesign of El Centro Campus is just one piece of the puzzle, but it's a big one. It's about more than just buildings; it's about creating a space where students can thrive and the community can grow.