By Joe Lanane*
July 8. 2014
The first public-private partnership in Austin Community College history took a first step forward July 7.
Rackspace Hosting, a cloud management technology company, could soon move into the old Dillard’s space in Highland Mall, pending negotiations between ACC and Austin-based development team Live Oak-Gottesman. If the deal is successful, Rackspace intends to relocate 570 employees to the new Highland campus by late 2015, according to ACC.
ACC board members voted to authorize negotiations during their July 7 board meeting after receiving two proposals for repurposing the four-story, 194,000-square-foot former Dillard’s location.
“This is a one of a kind [project] in the country that will put ACC on the map,” ACC President Richard Rhodes told board members prior to their vote. “This [partnership] will give our students opportunities we couldn’t provide on our own, and it puts us in a leadership position nationally to show what can be done in a mall when partnering with other entities.”
Austin’s technology companies have already expressed interest in this partnership and other ACC programs underway to boost the number of area qualified tech workers, Rhodes said. This partnership specifically provides opportunities for paid internships, earn and learn programs, scholarships and possible student incubator space, he said.*
“There are significant benefits to the institution and the community,” he said.
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