Months after voters approved a $250 million bond for College of the Mainland, officials are starting to work toward making projects tied to it a reality, according to a release from the college.

The gist

College of the Mainland is moving ahead with a number of firms that will start designing a litany of new buildings and renovations. According to the release, those projects include:

• Design for the Industrial Education Building renovation
• Design of the Welding Building addition/renovation
• Design of the new Public Services Center
• Design of the new Library Classroom Building

The firms chosen included Joiner Architects, RDLR Architects and Cannon Design Inc., according to the release. Joiner was also chosen to design a buildout at the Science, Engineering, Arts and Math building as part of the remaining 2018 bond.

The context

The new bond will allow the college to complete its 10-year master facilities plan, which will help upgrade a number of buildings across the campus, according to the release.

Among the planned upgrades include parking lot improvements and other general infrastructural improvements.

It was expected the bond would increase tax bills for taxpayers in Dickinson, Hitchcock, Santa Fe and Texas City ISDs by $281.04 per year, bringing the total bill to $379.20 for a home valued at $300,000.

It’s the first bond passed in five years, according to the release. In 2018, College of the Mainland passed a $162.5 million bond, which has seen every project finish on time and under budget.

What they’re saying

Warren Nichols, president of College of the Mainland, said in the release that community members will be informed throughout the process.

“We’re excited for this next chapter of [College of the Mainland] and the impact these new buildings will have for years to come for our students and community at-large,” Nichols said in the release.