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| New business space, walking trail to boost downtown pedestrian traffic |
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| Written by Jason Boyd, The Shorthorn News editor | ||||
| Tuesday, 02 June 2009 04:02 PM | ||||
Walking TrailThe UT System Board of Regents approved the city’s usage of university property for construction of a walking trail at its May 14 meeting.The university would pay up to $575,275 for its side of the project. The rest would come from North Central Texas Council of Governments (COG) and Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block grants. COG would pay up to $2,301,100. The department’s maximum contribution has not been determined. The trail will use part of the campus’ east side and the city hopes it will create foot traffic, he said. “It’s creating a density of activity in a very specific area and that puts people on the street and activity in the community,” he said. The university and the city plan to build a park off the trail on the corner of Mitchell and Center streets, said John Hall, Administration and Campus Operations vice president. The project receives funding from a the North Central Texas Council of Governments sustainability grant, the university providing 20 percent, which is $2.8 million. Yelverton said the mixed-use structure with retail spaces and a plaza, along with the special events center, goes along in creating a culture change. “We’re marrying up our investments to make sure that we’re both getting to implement our strategies,” he said. Yelverton doesn’t foresee businesses being more attracted to Arlington solely because of the space. He said it’s modest in terms of square feet, and service-oriented retail to students — like a convenience store — would fit best. The university has long wanted a grocer in the area, Yelverton said. Though this space might not be the right place, the city is still working on bringing a grocery store near the campus. He said downtown’s reshaping won’t happen in a snap but will make measurable progress. “Then we’ll consolidate our gains, build upon it and move to the next level,” he said. Yelverton said the city routinely communicates with the university, knows the university’s vision and is interested in its Campus Master Plan. This helps when Arlington wants to improve roads in and around campus or when the university might need more water pressure. CorrectionAn earlier version of this story appeared in print on June 6, 2009 and on www.theshorthorn.com with incorrect information. This version has been amended with the correct information.Views: 1552 | E-mail
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 August 2009 10:30 AM ) | ||||
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