BLINN BOARD AUTHORIZES ARCHITECTURAL, CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SERVICES FOR BRENHAM & WALLER-HARRIS COUNTY CAMPUSES

  

The Blinn Board of Trustees on Tuesday authorized Blinn College administrators to seek qualifications for architectural services related to master planning and design and solicit proposals for construction manager at risk services for projects on the Brenham and Waller-Harris County Campuses. 

The projects include a sports and intramural zone on the Brenham Campus and the development of an academic building at the new Waller-Harris County Campus. 

The sports and intramural zone will be located on Old Mill Creek Road, near the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex.  Mark Feldhake, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities, Planning and Construction, said it will include competition soccer and softball fields, a football practice field, and a 27,000-square-foot field house for team locker rooms and coaches’ offices.

Feldhake said the project’s estimated budget is $29.5 million and should be complete by Fiscal Year 2028, but could finish sooner in comparison to the academic building on the Waller-Harris County Campus.

As for that project, Feldhake said the plan is currently to build an 87,000-square-foot facility similar to what is seen on the RELLIS Campus.  The projected budget is $68 million, and the timeline for completion is by Fiscal Year 2028.

The board’s authorization enables Blinn to issue a request for qualifications for architectural services related to master planning and design for both campuses.  Once architectural plans are developed, the College will publish a request for proposals for construction manager at risk services and present recommendations to the board for final approval.

The board authorized the Waller-Harris County land purchase and annexation agreements at its meeting in September.  In October, the Waller City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the College for annexation, development, and utility agreements.  Blinn also finalized the purchase last month of the Waller-Harris County Campus land.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Blinn celebrated the purchase of the campus property.  Waller Mayor Danny Marburger, Waller Economic Development Corporation Executive Director John Isom, Waller Area Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Julie Coursey, Waller Chamber of Commerce Administrator Rhonda Plata, and Waller ISD Superintendent Kevin Moran and Chief Academic Officer Kelly Baehren were in attendance to share their support for the new campus.