Austin Community College is moving forward in the planning process for its newest campus on a 100-acre property in Leander.

Trustees are seeking opportunities for the campus to partner with entities such as the city and Leander ISD. In January, trustees plan to officially name the Leander campus and could appoint members for campus advisory committee—the group responsible for the planning and use of the campus.

On Nov. 2, trustees made progress on one project approved by voters one year ago.

By summer 2018, ACC plans to open the $60 million campus. An evaluation team picked three potential construction managers among eight submissions before board members unanimously selected American Constructors, an Austin building company that previously helped develop the ACC South Austin campus.

Support for American Constructors was initially split among trustees, with board Chairman Victor Villarreal arguing the company would work well with Pfluger Associates, the architect firm picked in July to help design the new campus.

The two groups are already collaborating on LISD’s Tom Glenn High School, a $150 million project expected to open by August 2016.

“I understand this is a high school facility, but the synergy between an architect and a construction firm already working together about a mile away from our land is important,” Villarreal said.

Trustee Nan McRaven initially supported another finalist, SpawGlass, a firm that helped develop the first phase of the ACC Round Rock campus as well as the expansion at the ACC Cypress Creek campus in Cedar Park.

However, McRaven withdrew her motion upon learning how much both firms may charge in various fees, with SpawGlass estimated to cost about a half-million dollars more, according to ACC staff.

“With that information, I’ll also be supporting [American Constructors],” McRaven said. “That’s the kind of information I need going forward. It’s my fiduciary responsibility to support the lowest and best bid—although lower does not necessarily mean the best.”