REAE@UTA: UT-Arlington Special Events Center!!!!

By: DeMarqus James

REAE 5311 Blog Post

In case you haven’t heard by now, our university is getting a new arena! On February 12, 2009, The University of Texas System Board of Regents held a meeting in Austin, in which they voted to permit The University of Texas-Arlington to go on with the development and design of a new special events center. The new special events center will accommodate UT Arlington men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, commencements, concerts, conferences and much more.

Exterior Conceptual Rendering Picture courtesy of HKS sports & entertainment

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BACKGROUND

As a former UTA men’s basketball member and current graduate student, I must say that the building of a new arena is long overdue. For over twenty years, UT Arlington and its surrounding community has anticipated what was recently announced. In the words of UT Arlington President James Spaniolo, “The realization of this center will create an instant landmark on campus and will represent a dream-come-true for an entire generation of UT Arlington students and alumni.”

The university currently uses Texas Hall, which is on the west side of campus, for all its special events. Texas Hall, or “The Stage”, is home to our men’s and women’s basketball teams and volleyball team. The university also uses this venue for graduation ceremonies, plays, concerts, guest speakers, etc. Texas Hall is a 76,000-square-foot combination special events center and theater. It holds a capacity of 3,600 with the seating consisting of bleachers on one side and theater style, plush seating on the other side. Those who sit on the theater side enjoy events from on elevated floor view. Texas Hall is possibly the most unique venue in the U.S. to watch a college basketball or volleyball game, which could be good or bad depending on the opinion. In 1997, Sports Illustrated named it "The Best Place in America to Watch College Basketball", which was pretty good considering the venues at that time. However, this is the year 2009, and the university was far behind in the advancement of the collegiate events venues amongst all universities until the announcement was made this February.

In December 2004, student congress had a chance to voice their opinions about the building of a new special events center through vote. The students overwhelmingly approved to have the student fee increased by six dollars per semester credit hour so that the arena could become a reality. Two dollars of the increase would be applied to the operating costs of the special events center project, the additional four dollars was for the improvement of what was formally known as the activities building, which is now called the Maverick Activities Center or the MAC.

DETAILS

The proposed new event center will cost an estimated $73 million. The financing of the special events center would be paid through local university funds, revenue financing system bond proceeds, unexpected plant funds and gifts/donations. To be exact, approximately $35 million from university funds, $28 million in revenue bonds from the UT System Office of Finance and $10 million from private donations. The proposed site of the center is located on the northeast corner of the campus, at W Second St. between S Pecan St. and S Center St.

Picture courtesy of The University of Texas-Arlington

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This ideal location is the center of expansion as the university continues to build residence halls and improves the college town community along the northern and eastern boundaries of campus. Also, the location is centrally located near the new Levitt Pavilion in downtown and connects the UT Arlington with the quality of redevelopment that is going on in the City of Arlington along Center St.

The proposed center is approximately 190,000 square feet with a seating capacity of 6,500. The new facility will consists of the arena, two full court practice gyms for the men's and women's basketball teams, new study rooms for student-athletes, a sports medicine center, and academic and computer center, a hospitality room and six suites overlooking the arena floor.

Interior Conceptual Rendering Picture courtesy of HKS sports & entertainment

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The anticipated completion date for the center is spring of 2012. The proposed construction time is approximately 30 months; at this point there has not been a groundbreaking date set but it has been proposed to be sometime in early 2010. UT Arlington has been committed to sustainable development by building green, and the center’s construction is designed to achieve LEED silver certification, which is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. HKS, Inc. will be the architects of the special events center. HKS, Inc. portfolio includes mainly commercial construction as well as some residential developments. The notable HKS, Inc. sports venues are the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, American Airlines Center (home of the Dallas Mavericks), and the new Lucas Oil Stadium which is home of the Indianapolis Colts. All proposals of the UT Arlington Events Center are conceptual renderings and more details will be given as the planning process moves forward. Over the next 10-12 months the final plans will be released including blueprints, costs, seating and amenities.

PARKING PROPOSAL

With the announcement of the proposed UT Arlington Events Center expected to locate in the northeast side of campus, there is a lot of buzz arising about the student parking. Currently the exact proposed location is home to Lot 42 and Lot 43 student parking lots, and the 7-eleven store. Many students are wondering what the university plans to do to replace the needed student parking. Well, the university is currently making plans to construct a large parking garage immediately north of the new proposed events center. Although the plans haven’t been finalized yet, the parking garage is expected to be used for daily campus parking, special event parking, and any downtown Arlington community events. As for the 7-eleven located on the Lot; it is expected the store will not be vacated any later than September 2010 according to 7-eleven public relations.

FUTURE IMPACT

Let the fight over the naming rights begin! The UT Arlington Events Center has been conceptually designed to be a state-of-the-art facility, and will certainly become one of the best college sports arenas in the nation. Compared to the other venues in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan, UT Arlington will be the “cream of the crop.” The new center will have the advantage of a new design and the newest innovative technology, which will make it the best of the best. The spring 2012 class will be the first to graduate in the new center. This will allow students to invite more family members to the commencement ceremonies. The new facilities will give a true home court advantage to the university basketball teams, as well as helping create a better college experience for students. The center should have a huge economic impact for both UT Arlington and the city. The city of Arlington will benefit from the center as it will attract mid-sized events with a capacity between 5,000 and 10,000 people. Such events may include mid-sized concerts, conventions, high school graduations, and high school sports playoff games. In conjunction with the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium and the redevelopment of Interstate 30 and downtown Arlington, the special events center will further enhance the City of Arlington, making it one of the most beautiful areas in the state if not the nation.

As a former UT Arlington basketball player, I have to say that I am a little jealous to not have a chance to play in the new arena, but I digress. This is a wonderful opportunity for university’s athletic department. I see UT Arlington becoming a household name with the likes of other mid major universities such Gonzaga and Davidson, etc. Hopefully in the near future, UTA will no longer be recognized as a commuter school, but instead be known for its unique college experience. I applaud President Spaniolo, the university community, and the UT Board of Regents for finally getting the deal done. Now students, faculty and alumni will have reason to have UT Arlington Maverick Pride!