CLIENT
College of the Mainland

BUILDING AREA
22,000 SF

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
As a key initiative within the COMPASS 2025 Master Plan, the new College of the Mainland (COM) Services Building supports the continued growth of essential campus operations. The existing facility had outgrown its capacity, prompting the need for a strategically located replacement to enhance efficiency, safety, and long-term functionality.

The new facility accommodates Facility Services, Purchasing, Shipping & Receiving, and Storage, while expanding capabilities to include dedicated Warehouse Space, Mechanic and Wood Shops, a Large Truck Dock, and Vehicle and Golf Cart Storage. The design optimizes workflow through thoughtful adjacencies, improving day-to-day operations that support the entire campus.

Site selection was a critical first step. After evaluating multiple on-campus locations—including constraints related to circulation, parking preservation, and 18-wheeler access—Site Location C, south of Monticello Road, was ultimately approved. This location provides improved separation between employee traffic and heavy truck deliveries, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. A dedicated access drive for large vehicles minimizes pedestrian and personal vehicle conflicts, with pavement layouts carefully coordinated around turning radius requirements.

The building envelope reinforces the COM campus aesthetic, incorporating durable masonry, insulated metal panels, and low-e glazing, with particular attention to resiliency and solar exposure along the west façade. Interior materials prioritize durability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness, aligning with COM’s commitment to responsible stewardship of funding.

While the site requires substantial paved areas for large vehicle movement, the building arrangement introduces a series of smaller courtyards to create more inviting outdoor spaces for staff and students. Drainage and detention are coordinated with a campus-wide infrastructure initiative, and parking and loading are designed in compliance with Texas City Zoning Ordinances and Gateway Overlay District requirements.

The result is a resilient, efficient, and well-integrated operations facility that strengthens campus connectivity while supporting COM’s long-term growth.