The Road to the New Campus

The Board of Regents of Concordia University took a visionary step of faith on May 13, 2005, deciding to relocate its main campus. The new site was selected the following year and put under contract in July 2006. Closing on the property took place March 30, 2007.

Formerly owned by Schlumberger, an oil services company, the property was developed in 1987 as a research facility. The company closed the site several years ago and moved most of its research activities to Cambridge, England.

The original Schlumberger site consists of approximately 440 acres of land divided into four lots. Nearly 250 acres of Lot 2 comprise a protected nature preserve. In addition, six buildings are located on Lot 2 consisting of 195,000 square feet of usable space. Most of Concordia's current academic programs and administrative departments will fit into the existing buildings, after some renovations. New construction on the campus will include a gym, athletic fields and student housing.

• 2002
  • Strategic Planning Committe formed to develop the vision and strategic plan to accomplish Concordia's mission of Developing Christian Leaders
• 2005
  • January - Strategic Planning Committee focused on accomodating future growth of the university.
  • February - Cost Analysis Task Force formed to explore the fiscal feasibility of a) expanding existing campus or b) relocating main campus.
  • May 13 - The Board of Regents unanimously decides to relocate the main campus of Concordia University
  • May 25 - Site Selection Committee appointed chaired by the Rev. Dr. David Kluth, vice president for University Services.
  • July - Concordia has 29 offers of land ranging from 67 to 800 acres. Most offers are in the Austin metropoitan area, but other include Frederickburg, Lockhart and Giddings.
  • August - Board of Regents limits site search to an area with 12 miles of the I-35 corridore from Round Rock in the north to Kyle in the south.
  • September - The Staubach Company is selected to represent Concordia University for the disposition of the current campus.
  • October - The Board for University Education in St. Louis, MO unanimously approves the relocation of the main campus. Site selection is reduced to three finalists, two in Round Rock and one just east of Austin near Highway 290.
• 2006
  • January - Current campus goes on the market for sale. Site selection narrowed to two sites: Avery Farms, a site located in Round Rock about 22 miles north of the current campus, and Wild Horse Ranch, located 12 miles east of the campus near the interchange of Highway 290 and Texas 130.
  • March - Two additional sites were added to the list of possibilities. A site approximately ten miles north of Pfluegerville, and a site located about two miles from Lake Travis on the west side of Austin near RM 2222 and RM 620. The site is the former home of Schlumberger, an French oil field services company. The 438 acre site includes six existing buildings with 195,000 square feet of space and a 250 acre nature preserve.
  • May - The Board of Regents selects the Schlumberger site and negotiations with Lionstone, the current owner begins. History Committee formed to explore methods and procedures for capturing Concordia's 80-plus years of history during the relocation to the new campus.
  • July - Concordia reaches an agreement with Lionstone, the current owner of the Schlumberger site to purchase Lots 2, 3, and 4. These lots comprise 385 acres including the six existing buildings and the nature preserve. Lot 1 is under contract with another buyer. An agreement is also reached with a buyer for the current campus. Due diligence periods begin for both the sale of the current property and the purchase of the Schlumberger site.
  • September 6 - The due diligence period ends. Earnest money payments are made. Architects are selected for the remodel and build of the new campus.
• 2007
  • February 15 - The Austin City Council gives final approval for the rezoning of the new site to college and university.
  • February 26 - The proposed floor plans for the renovations of existing buildings on the new site are presented to the university faculty and staff.
  • March 26 - The Austin City Council gives final approval for the planned urban development (PUD) and rezoning to East Avenue for the redevelopment of the Concordia site at 3400 North IH 35.
  • March 30 - Documents are signed and closing completed for both the sale of the current campus and the purchase of the Schlumberger site. It's official! Concordia owns 385 acres in Northwest Austin.
• 2008
  • August 1 - Concordia officially changed its address from 3400 N IH 35, Austin, TX 78705 to 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, TX 78726.