Plans Revealed For West Side Learning Center Expansion In Austin

Plans have been revealed for the next phase of Malcolm X College’s West Side Learning Center at 4624 W Madison Street on the eastern edge of Austin. Located just west of the intersection with N Kenton Avenue and adjacent to a pair of elevated rail lines, the expansion would grow the class size for the small outpost of the college. The proposal is being developed by the college itself and the greater City Colleges as well, with an undisclosed architect working on its design.

Site context map via Google Maps

The small campus currently occupies a 1980’s building that once housed a Jewel Osco according to the Sun Times, with this remote outpost of the college being one of the most outdated buildings within the City College’s roster. Although it had been renovated previously, the building will now receive a second renovation and expansion due to the rise in demand for the fields taught here.

Current view onto site via Google Maps

Currently the small campus focuses on nursing, health science, medical assistants, adult education, and continuing education. The nursing and medical programs have seen a large increase in enrollment from around 30 to 600 students according to Block Club, as mistrust and historical disinvestment have created a healthcare desert in many communities. With a future second expansion potentially bringing a 15,000 square-foot lab space

Rendering of the Community Center for Teaching and Learning via City Colleges

However this first expansion would add 3,000 square-feet of space dubbed the Community Center for Teaching and Learning, allowing for a 50% increase in student capacity to 2,000. The center will include student spaces, common spaces, and a large multi-use rentable community space as well. The design is relatively preliminary but shows a dark brick and metal panel facade with plenty of windows as well.

Rendering of the Community Center for Teaching and Learning via City Colleges

Future users and students will have direct access to CTA bus route 20 as well as both CTA Green and Blue Line Cicero stations within a short walk. The work will cost roughly $9.5 million with $5 million of those being secured as state funding, with the City Colleges footing the rest. Construction is set to start in the fall of 2024 with an anticipated completion in 2026, at the moment no formal plans have been created for the aforementioned second expansion.

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