Concordia University adds Pflugerville to list of relocation sites

Concordia University adds Pflugerville to list of relocation sites

Written by Cathy Kincaid Friday, 07 April 2006

City officials lay out future road plans to Concordia representatives in hopes of enticing Search Committee

As the deadline draws near for announcing the new location of Concordia University, Pflugerville has added to the drama by offering two locations.

According to Pflugerville City Manager David Buesing, the city put together future road construction plans at the request of Staubach & Company, representatives of Concordia.

“What we presented was a series of roads that would be developed to connect to SH 130,” Buesing said. “The two sites are beautiful, and we think they have a lot to offer that would be to Concordia’s advantage. For one thing, our water utilities are already in place for either location.”

The 100-acre sites, one owned by Pflugerville developer, Tim Timmerman, the other by Sandy Rea of Houston run about five miles east of town on East Pecan Street and are contiguous to SH 130.

At the March 9 city council meeting, Buesing received unanimous support from the council to persuade the Concordia board of trustees to choose Pflugerville.

One large hurdle for Concordia moving is selling their current campus in downtown Austin.

According to Concordia President Tom Cedel, as many as five offers for their property are being considered. This may allow the Concordia board to vote on a new location as early as May —putting a time crunch on the proposed Pflugerville campuses to show that they could meet the University’s needs.

“We have a lot of catch-up to do on Pflugerville,” Cedel said. “There are about 65-100 tests that have to be done on each site.

Pflugerville hopes that it will now be one of the top considerations.

“I think this would be a perfect place for a religious college,” Buesing said. “There is no more family-oriented community than Pflugerville.”

Transportation Report -Road Construction Update

New Road Projects in Pflugerville

Pecan Street East

• Widen existing roadway from two-lane rural section to either four-lane or six-lane divided arterial
• Engineering design anticipated to be complete by March 31, 2006
• Construction is anticipated to start in summer or fall
• Road opened to public estimated to occur in 2008
• Includes traffic signal at Immanuel Road intersection
• Includes street lights and hike and bike trail

Pflugerville Parkway (formerly Pflugerville Loop) East

• Construct new four-lane divided arterial
• Notice to proceed issued for construction was Jan. 18, 2006
• Construction contract time frame
  • Substantial completion (road opened to public) by Oct. 15, 2006
  • Final completion by Dec. 14, 2006
• Includes traffic signal at both Railroad Avenue intersection and FM 685 intersection
• Includes street lights and hike and bike trail

Pflugerville Parkway (formerly Pflugerville Loop) West

• Widen existing roadway from two-lane rural section to four-lane divided arterial
• Engineering design is currently 75 percent complete
• Road opened to public estimated to occur in 2008
  • CAMPO funded project that requires compliance with TxDOT regulations and timeframe
• Includes traffic signal at both Heatherwilde Blvd. intersection and Grand Avenue Pkwy. intersection
• Includes street lights and hike and bike trail

Pflugerville Parkway (formerly Pfluger Lane) Road Widening

• Widen existing roadway from two-lane rural section to four-lane divided arterial
• City is currently under contract for engineering design services
• Engineering design to be complete by Oct. 1, 2006
• Funding for right of way acquisition and construction has not been acquired as of yet
• Includes street lights and hike and bike trail

Wells Branch Parkway

• Construct four-lane divided arterial
• Construction bids were opened on Feb. 9
• Construction anticipated to start in April or May
• Road opened to public to occur Summer 2007
• Includes traffic signal at Dessau Road intersection
• Includes street lights and hike and bike trail

Grand Avenue Parkway

• Widen existing roadway from two-lane rural section to four-lane divided arterial
• Construction is anticipated to be complete this year