New building could be first of many built at Hutto campus, official says

Construction of the first permanent college campus in Hutto is reportedly ahead of schedule, and classrooms should be ready for classes to begin at the end of summer.

Brian Pollard, director of facilities planning and construction for Texas State Technical College, said construction on the $17 million East Williamson County Higher Education Center should be complete by the summer. EWCHEC will host TSTC and Temple College.

"[EWCHEC] is a week ahead of schedule," Pollard said. "The steel frame is all completed, and they are working on the roof deck. It is moving right along.

"We are anticipating having the building fully constructed and moving in mid- or late July. The building will be open to the public by the end of August."

Hutto ISD residents approved a 5 cent branch maintenance tax in May 2010 to help fund the operational costs of the 57-acre EWCHEC campus, located west of downtown Hutto between Toll 130 and CR 108. The Avery family donated the land for the campus, and the Hutto Economic Development Corp. and HISD created a nonprofit corporation capable of issuing bonds to fund the construction.