BRENHAM E.D.F. HOPES HODDE CENTER EXPANSION BEGINS BY SUMMER

  

Officials with the Brenham Economic Development Foundation say the expansion at Blinn College’s Hodde Center could begin in a few months.

Foundation Projects Manager Clint Colby says the $1.8-million expansion will double the size of the facility and hopefully will begin construction this summer.

Colby tells Blinn officials the plan calls for the design process to be finished by the end of this winter, with the permitting and bidding as well as selection of a contractor by the end of spring.

Colby says a kickoff meeting between EDF officials and the architect to go over the goals and scope of the project was held earlier this month.

Most of the cost of the project is being funded by a $1.35-million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Blinn pledged $50,000 in funds towards the match and $50,000 in equipment. The college will lease and operate the center.

The Brenham Community Development Corporation donated $250,000 and land valued at $100,000, and Washington County commissioners committed $50,000 to the project.

Colby says if the weather cooperates, they hope to have the entire project completed by the spring of 2017.