Wylie Campus Topping Off

Wylie Campus is “Topped Out”

There is a long-standing tradition in construction called “topping out,” which marks the occasion of putting in place the last steel beam of a building. On May 23, that milestone was commemorated at the new Collin College Wylie Campus.

Gusts of wind swirled through the construction site as representatives from the City of Wylie, Wylie ISD, the Wylie Economic Development Corporation and other guests celebrated the event with college personnel and more than 500 employees, contractors, and subcontractors working with Skanska USA, the construction company for the project.

In his welcoming remarks, Collin College District President Dr. Neil Matkin said the last time guests and college personnel had gathered at the Wylie Campus was just seven months earlier, at the formal groundbreaking ceremony in October.

“We’re grateful to everyone who has joined us on this occasion, but most of all we are grateful to the contractors, subcontractors, and construction workers who are making this dream a reality right here in Wylie, Texas,” Dr. Matkin said. “And it isn’t just the college’s dream. Mayor Hogue and (Wylie ISD Superintendent) Dr. Vinson both shared a vision of what could happen here in Wylie, and they were instrumental, along with the city council and the school board, in paving the way for Collin College to establish a new campus in this beautiful and growing city. We will open in fall 2020. Trust me when I say that we can’t wait.”

When finished, the campus—which will comprise more than 300,000 square feet and accommodate up to 7,000 students—will offer a variety of academic programs, including science, engineering, information technology, fine arts, education, and health care.

Joe Lindemann, project manager for Skanska, said that working on the Wylie Campus is a career highlight.

“You only get a few opportunities in your career to be a part of a project like this,” he said, noting that three buildings were erected simultaneously.

Addressing the crowd, Lindemann pointed out that Skanska began working on the site on Sept 12, after which rainy conditions became a factor off and on for most of the next eight months.

“It’s been a challenge with the rain, but our success is a testament to all the individuals sitting here today,” Lindemann said. “We have the best contractors and subcontractors in the DFW area.”

A barbecue lunch was provided by Skanska for all guests and site workers in attendance. Before the final beam was lifted into place, it was signed by Collin College and Skanska representatives, Wylie civic and ISD officials, and many of the site workers. A small juniper tree from the property was cut for the occasion and symbolically placed atop the beam after it was put in place. Afterward, four flags were unfurled from the top of the beam: three American flags (representing the three building superintendents for the project) and a Collin College flag.

Wylie Campus Topping Out

According to Lindemann, there are several legends about why a tree is placed at the top of the last erected beam.

“One myth is that many years ago everything was made out of wood, so a tree was placed on top of the last wooden beam to signify the highest point of construction,” Lindemann said.

To view additional photos of the Wylie Campus topping out event, click here.