University Unveils Improved North Mall, Extension to Loop Road

The University will debut several completed projects — most notably the North Mall and Loop Road extension — at the beginning of the fall 2015 semester. Construction on other projects, such as the Student Services Building Addition and the east-west corridor between the Trellis and Rutford Avenue, will continue.

“With the University’s continued growth, we are becoming a true urban campus,” said Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for the Office of Administration. “The result of each construction phase is another important component in the strategic infrastructure development that will allow us to better serve our students, faculty and staff. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we move forward with this phenomenal transformation of our campus.”

Landscape Enhancement

The North Mall has reopened for pedestrian use. The fountain area between Founders Building and University Theatre will remain closed as work is being completed. That area is expected to open later this semester.

The next portion of the multi-phase Landscape Enhancement project is currently underway in Area B, which spans from the Trellis to Rutford Avenue. During construction, the area will be closed to pedestrians. Use skybridges, the North Mall and alternate east-west pathways (see map) to navigate the area and access nearby buildings. Weather permitting, Area B will be completed by late spring 2016.

Roads and Parking

The Loop Road expansion project is nearing completion. The largest section of the road addition is open and runs through lots A, B, C and D, and Lookout Drive, forming a new connection to Parking Structure 1 (PS1) and the south side of campus. A new campus entrance was also added at Waterview Parkway and Loop Road, near Residence Hall West. This entrance is closed during residential move-in. The remaining section of the road project, which includes a new bridge connection from Lot A to the west side of Loop Road, will open later this fall and form a complete inner-campus loop. A new sidewalk is also open from Lot A to the Facilities Management building.

There have been several parking changes, including the renovation, restriping and addition of lots. This semester, Lot I, west of the Clark Center, will close as construction begins for a third parking structure that will provide approximately 1,150 spaces for the start of fall 2016.

Buildings

Construction began on the Student Services Building Addition (SSBA), with completion projected for fall 2016. The 68,000-square-foot facility will provide much-needed event, meeting, office and study space for students, faculty and staff.

Since the original Student Services Building (SSB) was built in 2009, University enrollment has grown from approximately 15,000 students to nearly 25,000 students. The addition promises more space for use by student organizations.

“The SSB expansion will allow more students to explore their passions in the future,” said Student Government President Caitlynn Fortner at the groundbreaking event in July. “Because of the community and encouragement the offices and staff in this building have created, Comets will have life-changing, formative experiences in college that can’t be found anywhere else or at any other place in life.”

The increase of space will allow Student Affairs to bring all of its services together into one area of campus, adding convenience for students, faculty and staff. The addition will house Student Programs, the Veteran Services Center, the Center for Students in Recovery, the Comet Center, the Student Union & Activities Advisory Board, and the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. It will also offer amenities such as a 534-seat auditorium, food and retail locations, and recreation areas with pool tables, pingpong tables and a gaming wall.

“The SSBA truly will be a building for the students, by the students,” said Dr. Gene Fitch, vice president for Student Affairs. “They’ve given us input about what they wanted and needed in this new space every step of the way, from the size of the auditorium, to what kinds of furniture they’d like to see installed. I’m looking forward to seeing them have the run of the new building once it opens next year.”

While the SSB remains accessible to pedestrians during construction, fencing is in place and the SSB’s west entrance is closed.

Progress also continues on the Bioengineering and Sciences Building, which will reach substantial completion late this fall, and the expansion of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2016. The Physics Annex will also open for use this semester, and ROC West is expected to be completed later this fall.

Other projects in the planning stages include the Brain Performance Institute and an on-campus Alumni Center.

Nearby, co-developers Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions LLC and Wynne/Jackson Inc. are continuing work on Northside, the mixed-use development that is projected for completion in late fall of 2016. Currently, crews are working with the city of Richardson to construct turn lanes and property entrances. Various lane closures are expected on Synergy Park Boulevard until the work is completed. Watch for construction crews and barricades in the area, and allow additional time to reach your destination.

Dining

The campus community will be able to enjoy several new dining choices this semester. While Food Services is operating on intersession dining hours through Aug. 23, fall dining hours will begin Monday, Aug. 24. New options this semester will include a Breakfast Burrito Cart on the walkway between the Administration Building and Green Hall, an IHOP Express in Parking Structure 3, and new retail dining locations in the Student Union, such as a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop, Panda Express, Moe’s Southwest Grill, a larger Chick-fil-A and 2Mato — a pizza and pasta concept.