New RGC Office Building

Left empty for 35 years, Austin High's former gymnasium on West avenue will soon be filled with students. On schedule and on budget, the gym is expected to be open for the summer 2010 semester as RGC Building 3000.

ACC first occupied the building in 1975 when Austin High moved, and purchased it in 2003. Except for storage, the building was left empty which added to the reconstruction challenges. Lead paint and asbestos had to be removed from walls, window glazing and pipe insulation before new construction could be started.

In addition, there were City of Austin permitting issues due to proximity to the Shoal Creek and from necessary street closures while the water line for the surrounding area was upgraded.

"This is an 80-year-old building, originally designed as a basketball gym, and we are changing the use," said Robert Ryland, project manager. "It really had been neglected; it wasn't in any shape to be used for recreational use or anything. It was kind of derelict."
Building materials were also updated to improve efficiency. This included insulated windows, and high efficiency heating, cooling and lighting systems.

A third floor was also added to provide additional square footage. However, the basketball gym was originally built with tall windows that don't completely match with the new floor to ceiling levels. As a result, Ryland said that a steel construction was used for the floor that should still provide a very natural appearance from the outside.

RGC Building 3000 will provide more than 38,000 square feet made up of five general purpose classrooms, offices for 60 faculty and a central plant for heating and cooling. The offices are a variety of sizes based on existing window openings, but Ryland said they are around 100 square feet. He also added that the classroom and office sizes meet the standards set for the South Austin, Cypress Creek and Round Rock locations.

With this additional space, current crowding in the main building and offices will be alleviated. Another benefit is the possibility that using the gym will save the campus money as ACC will no longer have to lease the Attache and Peach Tree buildings. The entire cost of the gym renovation will be about $8 million.

"The main intent is to provide better office and classroom space. The two rented properties were not designed as academic buildings and do not entirely support our programs.  In addition, they do not meet modern building codes in terms of handicap access, fire safety and energy efficiency," said Ryland.

Re-designing the property extended to the outdoors as well. Technical and code requirements required removing the former band hall. This area will be replaced with a simple landscaped courtyard with a small outdoor stage and seating. The drama department doesn't currently have any plans for performances on the stage, but Shelby Brammer, Department Chair of Drama, said that it will be used at some point.

"There's nothing like performing outdoors or viewing something live outdoors. There's noise and other environmental elements that are outside our control, but that's part of the experience," said Brammer. "We're just glad to have a space that will encourage performance and offer students and pedestrians another tranquil, pleasant place to hang out."

Because of the gym's age and history, the plans were designed with the goal of maintaining the building's original exterior appearance.

"I have met many folks over the course of the project who tell stories about playing basketball there when they were young. We are pleased that we are able to preserve such a neighborhood fixture and put it back into service for the college," said Ryland.