Regents move forward on Texas State construction projects

Date of Release: 05/19/2006

SAN MARCOS—The “new look” at Texas State University-San Marcos came several steps closer to reality this week as the university’s board of regents moved forward with eight major campus construction projects. The Texas State University System Board of Regents, meeting Thursday and Friday (May 18 and 19) on the Texas State campus, advanced the projects, further implementing the 2006-2015 Campus Master Plan.

The regents approved preliminary plans for the Student Recreation Center addition and renovation as prepared by Marmon Mok Architects of San Antonio. They authorized the firm to prepare final plans and construction documents. The Student Recreation Center expansion will include a natatorium, a rock climbing facility, multi-purpose and weight rooms, offices, four playing courts and auxiliary spaces. The expansion will add 94,419 square feet to the SRC and 13,565 square feet of the current SRC will be renovated. Total project cost is estimated at $25.2 million, with completion in August 2008.

The regents also approved preliminary plans for the Concho Street redevelopment, a project that will beautify the campus and add a significant amount of green space. Designed by TBG Partners of Austin, the Concho Street project calls for replacing Concho Street with a landscaped mall from Moon Street to LBJ Street. It also includes landscape, sidewalk and grade improvements. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3 million and completion is projected for May 2008.

Other plans approved by the regents will add parking capacity and improve traffic flow on campus. Preliminary plans for Phase I of the Matthews Street and Speck Street parking garages, prepared by Carl Walker Parking Consultants of Frisco, were approved. Phase I is the Speck Street parking garage, which will add 721 parking spaces and is projected for completion in March 2008. Total project cost is estimated at $10.4 million. Phase II, the Matthews Street parking garage, will add 993 parking spaces and will be considered by regents at a later date.

The regents also approved preliminary plans for the Pleasant Street Parking Garage, as prepared by Garza/Bomberger and Associates. The project adds three levels and 365 parking spaces to the existing Pleasant Street garage. It also includes a bus loop with additional traffic and pedestrian improvements in the north central areas of campus. The total project cost is estimated at $10.3 million with a completion date of March 2008.

The regents approved preliminary plans for the Jowers Center renovation as prepared by Huitt-Zollars of Austin. The $1.5 million project includes upgrades and refurbishments to Jowers Center for the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Completion is projected for May 2008.

The Board of Regents also cleared the way for a significant upgrade to campus utility systems. The project includes expansion of the university’s Co-Generation Plant, as well as upgrades to the Harris Plant. Total project cost is estimated at $16.8 million.

Two projects received initial approval from the regents. The regents authorized the university to hire Garza/Bomberger and Associates to prepare preliminary plans for the Commons Complex renovation. Estimated at a total cost of $8.3 million, the project involves a major renovation to a four-building complex that was built between 1946 and 1956.

The regents authorized the university to hire 3D-I of Austin to prepare preliminary plans for renovation of the Trinity Building. When complete, the building will house Student Publications, Risk Management and Safety and curation space for the Center for Archaeological Studies.

As regents cleared the way to begin construction on campus facilities, the university prepared to occupy its most recent addition. Faculty and staff from the McCoy College of Business Administration began the move to their new building, McCoy Hall. McCoy Hall, named for Emmett and Miriam McCoy of San Marcos, will open for classes this summer. A formal dedication of the building will be held in the fall.

The regents were also on hand for the dedication of the Avery Building on the campus of Texas State’s Round Rock Higher Education Center. The Avery Building is the first permanent facility at the RRHEC, which just completed its first year at the new campus. The building is named for the Avery family, who donated more than 100 acres of land for the campus.