By George Slaughter
Houston Community College President Dr. Zachary Hodges provided the Katy City Council with an update Monday on the college’s plans to relocate its Katy campus further west, closer to the city itself.
The new location will be at 22910 Colonial Parkway, across the street from the University of Houston Katy campus. HCC planned to have the campus opened by now, but weather and pandemic challenges have pushed out the opening to next spring.
HCC plans a topping out event—where the final beam is installed—on June 25.
HCC will partner with the University of Houston on several programs. The plan is that students can take their core courses at HCC and take their advanced classes at UH. Some of the programs include advanced manufacturing, business, and education.
Hodges said HCC began offering classes to Katy-area residents in 1979 at Katy High School. Later, courses were offered at Taylor High School. Today, HCC serves Katy-area students at its present location, 1550 Foxlake Blvd.
“HCC has been a good partner to Katy for a long time,” Hodges said.
Other Actions Taken
In other action, the council:
- Observed a Keep Katy Beautiful Katy Proud Business Award presentation to McDonald’s, 5701 US 90.
- Recognized the Keep Katy Beautiful Board for its designation as a Keep Texas Beautiful 2020 Gold Star Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing May as Apraxia Awareness Month.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing May 9-15 as National Police Week.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing May 16-22 as National Public Works Week.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing May 16-22 as National EMS Week.
- Gave Above and Beyond recognition to Katy Fire Department EMT Nic Campbell for actions taken to save a life on April 5.
- Observed a proclamation presentation by state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, honoring to Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Farmer and Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Felder, both of Katy, for saving the life of Sam Mills on December 26, 2020. Paula Gibson, district director for Kolkhorst’s officer, made the presentation.
- Approved a convention and tourism bureau hotel occupancy tax grant for the Katy Rice Festival, set for October 8-10.
- Approved a $1,500 dues payment to the 2021 Highway 36A Coalition.
- Approved street closures for the both the July 4 Run Wild 5K run and the July 4 Katy Freedom fireworks celebration.
- Awarded a $117,700 bid for third-floor build-out project to G.A M. Construction Inc., of The Woodlands.
- Authorized a $2,638, five-month professional grounds maintenance contract to include maintenance of the downtown plaza.
- Authorized the issuance of $1.9 million in unlimited tax refunding bonds by Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 199.
- Authorized up to $2.5 million in permanent improvement bonds for the city.
- Appointed Dusty Thiele, an insurance executive and former council member, to the city’s Convention and Tourism Bureau, Planning and Zoning commission, and Village at Katy Development District.