UH System to Expand in Katy with $46.8 Million Land, Building Project
Project Funded by Capital Construction Bonds Passed by Texas Legislature
The project was allocated $46.8 million in Capital Construction Bonds (previously called Tuition Revenue Bonds, or TRBs) during the 84th session of the Texas Legislature. Paula Myrick Short, UH System senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said expanding on a new site was critical to the System’s strategic initiatives in the area.
“We will be looking for a new site to build in Katy—one that offers convenient access for students and the opportunity for future growth,” said Short.
The current facilities at UH System at Cinco Ranch include a 37,000-sq.-ft. building where 20 degree plans are offered, but the academic center is landlocked by development, with no room for growth.
“In addition to constructing a state-of-the-art facility, we will continue to bring programs that meet the specific educational needs of the businesses and residents who are fueling the growth of this area,” said Jason Smith, UH System vice chancellor for governmental and community relations.
The UH System’s future expansion in the Katy area will give residents the opportunity to earn their degrees closer to home — and more and more people are making the area home. The Katy area includes three counties (Harris, Fort Bend and Waller) and three cities (Katy, Fulshear and Houston). Its population is expected to increase from 305,000 to 550,000 in the next 20 years, and employment is growing at a similarly rapid pace with 200 companies headquartered there, including many in the energy sector. Having long recognized the momentum and long-term potential of the Katy area, UH System officials have been working alongside Katy-area lawmakers and business and civic leaders on expanding UH’s presence for more than a decade.
Lance LaCour, president and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council (Katy EDC), says the population of the greater Katy area is roughly the size of Pittsburgh, which supports seven universities. The Katy EDC, Katy Area Chamber of Commerce and the area’s Legislative delegation worked diligently and successfully to bring the Capital Construction Bonds and the construction of a new UH System site to a vote. In 2009, the groundwork was laid for addressing higher education needs by the establishment of the Katy Community Higher Education Task Force, led by former State Rep. Bill Callegari and State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who was then a State Senator representing the Katy area.
“As the local point organization, we have been diligently working to make the University of Houston expansion in Katy a reality, and we are thrilled to see it come to fruition,” said Katy EDC President/CEO Lance LaCour. “The increase of educational opportunities, particularly in higher education, is vitally important to the continued growth and success of the Katy area. We look forward to assisting UH with site selection and project implementation.”
Short is leading a committee, which will be evaluating location options for the new Katy campus and building, as well degree programs that will fit the needs of the community. The expansion in Katy is part of the System’s strategic plan to make the UH System the primary provider of higher education in the greater Houston area.
HB100, the bill introduced by State Rep. John Zerwas (R-Simonton) and sponsored by State Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) that authorized higher education funding, including the Capital Construction Bonds for all of state’s universities, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June. Katy area representatives State Rep. Mike Schofield (R-Katy) and State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) were instrumental in making sure HB100 included the UH System Katy expansion project. Overall, HB100 authorized $3 billion in construction bonds for much-needed building at universities throughout the UH System.