The building finished on time and on budget for $28.6 million, per previous Community Impact Newspaper reporting. It was designed by Harrison Kornburg Architects and built by Satterfield and Pontikes Construction.
The ribbon-cutting was attended by Katy Mayor Bill Hastings, incoming Mayor Dusty Thiele, the HCC board and City Council members.
After the speeches, the ribbon-cutting was held, followed by a tour of the building. The first story is hyperfocused on community and collaboration, featuring glass walls and open and communal spaces.
Zachery Hodges, president of the HCC Northwest campus, described how HCC Katy is set to be a place where people from the community can stay from the start of their education until the end.
"We're talking about a [pre-]K to 18 system. [There is] no reason that students can't start in Katy, finish in Katy, go all the way through,” Hodges said.
Students can enter KISD in kindergarten and stay in the city until the completion of their master degree, per the new programs available. Then, graduates are encouraged to reinvest their education back into their community.
“Katy Community is your college, and we need your help and support. There's no way we'll do everything we want to do,” Hodges said.
Community members are encouraged to contribute funds to the college. The first to do so are Ken Burton and his wife, who have had a classroom named after them following their donation.
Among the trustees to speak was Monica Richart, elected to Houston Community College for District 1.
“Together with the people of Katy, we are opening the doors of opportunity to those that seek to improve their lives and build a more secure culture,” Richart said.
