PAC hosts grand opening celebration for bond-funded Rio Grande Building

Palo Alto College hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting for its bond-funded Rio Grande Building during this year's PACfest celebration held Thursday, April 27, 2023.

The facility now serves as the primary entry point to the College, the new home for a Student Engagement & Welcome Center, and a hub for various student services and academic programs.

"We are so thankful that our community continues to invest in Palo Alto College and the Alamo Colleges District," said Dr. Robert Garza, president of Palo Alto College. "As the new crown jewel of our college, the Rio Grande Building opens the door to new opportunities for the Southside community as it will enhance our students' college experience and better prepare them for high-wage, high-demand fields."

Bearing the name of Texas' largest river, the "Rio Grande," the 128,000-square-foot facility will promote collaborative learning and interactive instruction with its specialized program spaces. These will support training for programs in the region, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, cyber security, logistics, dental hygiene, science labs, criminal justice, and more.

As the San Antonio metropolitan area is projected to grow by 1 million residents by 2035, this new building will poise the College to meet the educational needs of the community.

The Rio Grande Building was funded through a 2017 voter-approved bond for the Alamo Colleges District. Of the $450 million approved for the District, $66 million was allocated to capital improvement projects at Palo Alto College, including the renovation of existing facilities and the addition of new facilities.

Click here to view photos from the event.

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