Ground breaking - Nov. 19

Stan R · October 27, 2005

My question is why is it being called Chestnut hall? Is it also a dorm or is that just the name for the building? It also will be the future home for the career center so it is partially a multi purpose building. I think it looks great and will be a fantastic addition to that area by the Rec center. Some questions if anybody knows these:

1.) Is it indeed also going to have dorm room space?

2.) What is going to happen to the old health center?

3.) I think that area will be occupying a former parking lot so less parking, right?

Snooping through the master plan docs (2004) I also found this:

1. Expansion of Union by building a new facility to connect to Union. Location would require purchase of Baptist Student Union

Edited October 27, 2005 by Stan R

untgirl04 · October 27, 2005

I'm not entirely sure of the answers, but here's my speculation:

1. There will be no dorm space in the new building. I'm pretty sure they just named it Chestnut Hall because it's on Chestnut St. and they didn't have a bigtime donor to slap his/her name on it.

2. My hope is that the old Health Center will be converted into a much-needed parking lot. There's some space for it, but my wager is that it will end up "green space" or something like that.

3. Probably will be a bit less parking. That's the current trend at North Texas in any case. They've got plans to build a parking garage, but until I see them break ground, I'm not holding my breath.

On a parking-related note, does anyone else out there think they should build a parking garage exclusively for residents? They keep taking away resident parking and since you're required (at least your freshman year) to live on campus, they should provide a parking space for you. Even if it isn't going to be terribly close to the dorms, they can shuttle people over like they do for freshmen at TCU. Just a thought.....

NTEagle08 · October 27, 2005

I'm not entirely sure of the answers, but here's my speculation:
1. There will be no dorm space in the new building. I'm pretty sure they just named it Chestnut Hall because it's on Chestnut St. and they didn't have a bigtime donor to slap his/her name on it.
2. My hope is that the old Health Center will be converted into a much-needed parking lot. There's some space for it, but my wager is that it will end up "green space" or something like that.
3. Probably will be a bit less parking. That's the current trend at North Texas in any case. They've got plans to build a parking garage, but until I see them break ground, I'm not holding my breath.
On a parking-related note, does anyone else out there think they should build a parking garage exclusively for residents? They keep taking away resident parking and since you're required (at least your freshman year) to live on campus, they should provide a parking space for you. Even if it isn't going to be terribly close to the dorms, they can shuttle people over like they do for freshmen at TCU. Just a thought.....
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Removal of the current health center won't be cheap or fast since from what I have heard since it was built in the 50's you have to remove the asbestos before knocking the building down. Also I think the site of the current health center when demolished will become some of the area that the College of Business Administration is wanting to build their new building when ever they get the funds from the state for it.

untgirl04 · October 27, 2005

Removal of the current health center won't be cheap or fast since from what I have heard since it was built in the 50's you have to remove the asbestos before knocking the building down. Also I think the site of the current health center when demolished will become some of the area that the College of Business Administration is wanting to build their new building when ever they get the funds from the state for it.
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I've heard rumor that when we build the new stadium, a new COBA building is supposed to occupy the current Fouts spot, along with a parking garage, residence halls, and a few other facilities. I believe that was the original Master Plan in any case. Not sure what they'll do with it. It'd make more sense to annex a building over by the current COBA building (besides Curry) that way you've got all your business stuff in the same area. I guess we'll just have to wait and see....

Stan R · October 27, 2005

I've heard rumor that when we build the new stadium, a new COBA building is supposed to occupy the current Fouts spot, along with a parking garage, residence halls, and a few other facilities. I believe that was the original Master Plan in any case. Not sure what they'll do with it. It'd make more sense to annex a building over by the current COBA building (besides Curry) that way you've got all your business stuff in the same area. I guess we'll just have to wait and see....
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That makes sense but I'd be surprised if the master plan is banking on a new stadium as a done deal at this point. That may be "best case" scenario...