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Combined residence, retail space, parking advances campus master plan

Written by Jason Boyd, The Shorthorn News editor

Tuesday, 02 June 2009 05:16 PM

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University administration will add residential space and give students more retail options, hoping to also better define the eastern edge of campus with an addition to the special events center construction plan.

The proposed addition to the center will cost $67 million and include a four-story residence hall attached to a parking garage for the arena. The hall would place 241 residence rooms above about 8,000 square feet of retail rental space. The UT System Board of Regents approved the university’s proposal May 14, with summer 2012 as the substantial completion date.

UT System bond proceeds would provide the money and would be repaid to the system through revenue from renting out the first-floor spaces. The structure’s preliminary plans have the primary segments facing South Pecan, West 2nd and a little of South Center streets, said Kristin Sullivan, Media Relations assistant vice president.

The university decided the garage was a good place for a multi-purpose building after choosing the location for the special events center, said John Hall, Administration and Campus Operations vice president. A multi-purpose residence hall was in the Campus Master Plan and dorm spaces will help smooth out the campus’ eastern edge, he said.

In Case You Didn't Know...

The special events center project will put a 6,500 seat, $73 million arena on campus for sports, convocations, commencements and other events.

“This mixed-use project will help address our community’s parking needs,” President James Spaniolo said in a press release. “But we expect that it also will be a catalyst for further development in central Arlington.”

What will go into the retail spaces remains undecided.

“We haven’t gotten to that point yet,” Hall said. “We’ve identified about 8,000 square feet of retail space and that’s some work that we have to do yet, as far as marketing that retail space.”

Timeline

Spring 2010:
Special events center construction begins

May 2010:
Clearing of parking lots and 7-Eleven for special events center

Summer 2010:
First phase of parking garage begins
Mixed-use residence hall construction begins

Summer 2011:
First phase finished, last phase begins

Spring 2012:
Special events center completed

Summer 2012:
Second phase finished

July 2012
Mixed-use residence hall finishes (tentative completion date)

Source: John Hall, Administration and Campus Operations vice president

The university took student opinion into account, via the Student Congress at President’s Roundtable meetings. Representatives expressed desire for retail development on the campus’ edge, Hall said.

Residents would have parking spaces in the garage. Hall said the parking lot was also sized for accommodating professor and student parking during the day and special events center parking at night. During sold-out events, some might have to use surface parking.

“We don’t want to overbuild the parking garage, realizing that we will be building more parking garages in the future, per our Campus Master Plan,” Hall said.

The garage’s construction will be in phases, the first signaling the beginning of the residence hall’s construction.

Hall said he doesn’t know exactly what it will look like when finished.

“We have not hired the project architect yet,” he said. “We will be issuing the request for qualifications either next week or the following week.”

The Campus Master Plan, updated in 2007, includes the university’s vision to expand the north side.

The master plan proposes to develop UTA Boulevard between Cooper and Abram streets and include residential buildings with retail and parking lots or garage structures.

What Students/Staff Say

Amber DeGelia
College of Engineering administrative assistant

What would you like to see in the retail spaces?
“Some healthier food options would probably be good. Maybe a pharmacy-type store.”

Would this be a popular residence hall on campus? Why?
“Yes. Ease of access as far as what’s there.”

Nadeesha Gammampila
Architecture freshman

What would you like to see in the retail spaces?
“Stuff you can buy, like frozen food or drinks.”

Why might you choose to live in this residence hall?
“When you stay in other places you have to walk a lot to eat.”

Joseph Aslan
Chemistry graduate student

What would you like to see in the retail spaces?
“Maybe like a mini Wal-Mart downstairs. Not even clothes really, just food.”

What do you think of the walking trail?
“The trail is something more old people might walk [the trail] — students aren’t.”

Map

In Case You Didn't Know...

Timeline

What Students/Staff Say

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