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April 20, 2006

Facilities

Master plan update to add 3.7 million acres by 2060

The revised proposal will be presented to the UT System board in August.

Story by: Tracie Morales

The Shorthorn staff

The Shorthorn: Scott Russell

John Hall, vice president for administration and campus operations, speaks at a Faculty Senate meeting about the Campus Master Plan on Wednesday in the Rio Grande Ballroom. The plan proposed changes to campus, like adding a clock tower on the Central Library mall and renovating the Activities Building.

Images of a college town, complete with retail stores and restaurants surrounding the university, were details on the updated campus master plan at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate meeting.

The deadline to complete the master plan is June 14, and it will be presented to the UT System Board of Regents in August. The university has nearly completed the updated plan that proposes building new facilities, parking garages and a more prominent campus by the year 2020.

Sarah Lewis, senior associate for architectural firm Ayers Saint Gross, said a planned plaza in the center of campus includes building a signature facility that is visible from Cooper Street. She said that the proposal is a long-term commitment and that the university would begin by taking small steps.

She said the plan honors the mission to unite the campus by creating a hub of activity with a bell tower in the center of campus, redesigning the Cooper Street bridge and adding attractive pathways and outdoor spaces.

“This shows the possibilities of making a pedestrian-friendly campus,” she said.

John Hall, vice president for Finance and Administration, said the plan includes gradually expanding the campus from the current 4.6 million acres to add 3.7 million acres by 2060. He said that the immediate goal is to build a new engineering building but that the Legislature must first approve the university’s request for tuition revenue bonds.

“The need for additional space at UT-Arlington is great,” he said.

Hall said the university is planning to build parking garages to decrease the 110 acres currently used for parking lots, and the additional space will accommodate traditional campus quads. He said the university is considering increasing parking decal prices and generating revenue from future retailers to pay for the garages.

“All of our parking facilities are self-supported,” he said. “The university receives no state funding for these entities.”

Hall said the university is collaborating with the city, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, sports entities and the downtown center developer to design plans that connect the campus with the city. He said a pathway, stretching from the university to the future downtown center, is planned for fall 2009.

“Hundreds of thousands of people will touch foot out here on a yearly basis,” he said. “The university will have more visibility by having a stronger presence.”

CORRECTION