291 replies to this topic

[Big Frog II]

FYI: TCU Board of Trustees is set to hold the next semi-annual meeting Wednesday the 9th through Friday the 11th. There have been rumors swirling for a few months about some new Athletics construction for football. Keep an eye out for a possible announcement as they tend to make construction announcements in tandem with Board meetings. I will keep an eye out for anything concrete (or, I should say, digitally rendered) that I can post. 

 

Technically the Board put a "construction moratorium" in place during the early stages of the pandemic that isn't set to expire until 2024, but that "moratorium" has obviously not stopped construction of the first Medical School building, East Campus housing/dining project, Sadler Hall renovation, or the rumored forthcoming football facilities (100% donor funded). So read into that what you will. The moratorium did actually freeze plans for renovations to Ed Landreth Hall and expansion of the Brown-Lupton University Union, so it will be interesting to see if there are any announcements regarding those projects after the next few semi-annual meetings. 

I've heard what it could possibly be, but I have no idea where they could put it.

[Austin55]

Board meeting was Friday. Did anything come from it?

The agenda is online but vague: https://www.tcu.edu/...of-trustees.php

[BFrog88]

Quick update from my 11/2 post. Apologies for a bit of a false alarmno major announcements from the Board, so I guess the funding has not been fully secured for some of the in-development projects.

The letter from the Chancellor/Board following the meeting is available here: https://t.e2ma.net/m.../1ovcwe/pjb046d

With regard to facilities, the letter includes:

Strategic capital project updates were provided for efforts in various stages of planning and construction. These include:
1. Design and infrastructure work in preparation for the East Campus Residence Halls and Dining Project to support completion by 2025.
2. Construction began on the Burnett School of Medicine campus, scheduled for completion in fall 2024.
3. The M.E. Sadler Hall Repurposing Project has progressed on schedule and will be open to students beginning in spring 2023.

Trustee Mike Berry, chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, discussed the commission of a new campus master plan study which will examine TCUs strategic growth plan and alignment of our physical campus to mission and vision. The new campus master plan provides an opportunity for TCU to consider how spaces on campus academic programs, schools, colleges, gathering and living support TCU for the next 150 years. A committee of students, faculty and staff will be assembled in early 2023.

Also:

Athletics received approval to proceed with planning and design for an expansion of TCUs human performance facilities supporting strength and conditioning, rest and recovery, nutrition and well-being. This project includes renovation of the Bob Lilly Performance Center and expansion of key offerings for student-athletes.

[Austin55]

Details on the Athletics Human Performance Center Expansion & Renovation

https://tcufrogclub....mibextid=Zxz2cZ

[Jeriat]

Details on the Athletics Human Performance Center Expansion & Renovation

https://tcufrogclub....mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

https://youtu.be/kzK-FupZX4U

 

[hannerhan]

TCU making the CFP (playoff) this year, and being the first school in the State of Texas to do so, will bring big benefits in terms of recruiting. Which will bring attention to athletics. Which will bring big money from donors/fans, as well as increasing the school's national exposure, leading to more undergrad applications. Which will drive the stats higher in terms of quality of students. Which increases the rankings. Etc.

 

Say what you will about the system itself (the larger educational system, athletics, money, etc.), but TCU has played their hand VERY well over the past 20 years and is making it look easy when it's really not.

[rriojas71]

Exactly... TCU turned it's Rose Bowl victory into a boon for recruiting in SoCal which helped to transform TCU and Berry St. into what it is today.

[Austin55]

AND a Heisman finalist. Watershed year for the team. 

[txbornviking]

$40M athletics training complex coming...

https://www.star-tel...e269493407.html

[BFrog88]

The fully renovated M. E. Sadler Hall has opened. This was a total gut inside. https://www.tcu.edu/...-hall-opens.php

They havent released many photos. If anyone finds their way over to campus, please feel free to grab and share some photos with us.

[elpingüino]

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023011507

Facility Name: South Residence
Estimated Cost: $26,000,000
Square Footage: 39,141 ft 2
 
https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023011505

Facility Name: Dining Hall
Estimated Cost: $28,000,000
Square Footage: 28,768 ft 2
 
https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2023011504

Facility Name: North Residence
Estimated Cost: $26,000,000
Square Footage: 59,991 ft 2

Cost per square foot of $664, $973 and $433. The latest figures for residence hall construction I can find are from 2019, but even taking inflation into account, this project seems exceedingly expensive. What am I missing?
https://www.rsmeans....itory-2-3-story

[BFrog88]

It's TCU and probably a nicer than average spec. Plus they are probably realistic with their budgets considering inflation and other factors since they are building other projects in the area.

Also, I would be curious if these dorms are not stick framed construction unlike some of our area apartment buildings.  I think some dorm projects incorporate more amenities than just a lobby, that would be another thought if it had more meeting spaces and other uses on the ground level.
 
TCU's going to have a nice groundwork and landscaping package plus all the furniture, fixtures and equipment.  Do you recall if there's any structured parking on these projects?

Just tacking on that theres a lot of utility/infrastructure work being done not just for these two residence halls and dining facility but for the additional residence halls they will add to the complex in the years ahead.

[Urbndwlr]

Yeah, would expect TCU's dorm costs to be a lot higher vs typical apartments since most apartments are 3-5 stories of stick frame, sometimes over 1-2 floors of concrete podium.  TCU seem either all steel or concrete frame - designed to last a really long time. 

And they include more detailed and probably extensive interior fixtures, furniture etc.

[Austin55]

From Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford’s Facebook: https://www.facebook...514046444058888

 

 

HHS and CannonDesign are excited to watch the TCU – Texas Christian University East Campus Housing project come to life as construction begins soon.

 

[Austin55]

Site clearing underway

 

[BFrog88]

[Big Frog II]

It looks like the house in front of the new Ad Building is finally coming down.  There is fencing around the trees, the wood fence hiding the house from the Ad Building has been removed.  A small construction trailer has been brought in.

[FunkyTownTay]

I looked up the house on TAD and was surprised to see that TCU has owned it for almost 2 years. They must have been leasing it back to the previous owner or something like that.

[Big Frog II]

I looked up the house on TAD and was surprised to see that TCU has owned it for almost 2 years. They must have been leasing it back to the previous owner or something like that.

They had to locate a home that would work for the previous owner.  They moved a year ago.  Then TCU had to get the zoning approved.  Thought they would have started after graduation, but here we are at the end of July.  Should be gone before school starts again.

 

There is now a Garrett Demolition sign in front.

[Big Frog II]

Looks like asbestos removal is occurring in the house before demolition.  

[John T Roberts]

It appears the house will be demolished tomorrow (Monday, August 14, 2023).

[BFrog88]

https://www.tcu.edu/...erry-street.php

The house is scheduled to be removed in early August. A temporary lawn will be installed and, eventually, the area will become a parklike setting, open to anyone on campus, creating not only an inviting entry, but a communal space. Specific plans will be laid out in the months to come, but, generally, Waldvogel said, plans include a relaxing setting with a well house a classical brick and stone gazebo for large gatherings and accompanying landscaping.

[Austin55]

It was mostly rubble this morning.

[elpingüino]

More about the UCC project: https://universitych...rg/cornerstone/

[FunkyTownTay]

As long as they dont change their traditional sanctuary *fingers crossed.* Its one of the most beautiful places of worship in Fort Worth, in my opinion.

[Austin55]

Nice article that goes in-depth on TCU's campus planning concepts: https://sponsored.ch...mpus/index.html

[Stadtplan]

More about the UCC project: https://universitych...rg/cornerstone/

 

FW Report article:

https://fortworthrep...vation-project/

[Stadtplan]

[JBB]

Tillery Park?

[Stadtplan]

Tillery Park?

Yes

[John T Roberts]

There always has been a great view of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church from the park. 

[rriojas71]

Tillery Park is such a gem.  I wonder if they are planning on improving the steps that lead down towards the pool after it is completed.

[BFrog88]

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2024006448

PROJECT
Project Name: TCU Pavilion
Project Number: TABS2024006448
Facility Name: Pavilion
Location Address: 3101 Bellaire Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Location County: Tarrant
Start Date: 2/1/2024
Completion Date: 8/30/2024
Estimated Cost: $1,200,000
Type of Work: New Construction
Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.
Scope of Work: New outdoor covered pavilion and landscape
Square Footage: 53 ft 2
 
OWNER
Owner Name:
Texas Christian University
 
DESIGN FIRM
Design Firm Name:
Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford
Design Firm Address:
200 Bailey Avenue Suite 200
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Anyone have the details here? A 52 sq ft covered pavilion for $1.2M?

[Austin55]

That tuition raise is being put to use!

[hannerhan]

That tuition raise is being put to use!

 

As someone who is paying for a kid at TCU, I'm laughing on the outside but crying on the inside.

[JBB]

My walk in closet at home is larger than 52 square feet.

[Austin55]

 

 

 

 

[John T Roberts]

Nice photos, as always, Austin.

[JBB]

You can never say that TCU has any sort of funding problem.  I was in Atlanta over the weekend and I visited with a man from California that took his daughter on a college visit to TCU in the last couple of years.  He had nothing but good things to say about the school and the city.

[Austin55]

What does that mean?

[BFrog88]

Sounds like major work to South University through campus this summer: https://www.tcu.edu/...rsity-drive.php

A few facilities items in the Spring Board agenda outline: Master Plan, a Sesquicentennial Plaza, and an unnamed Private Partnership Development. The first and third are quite interesting. https://www.tcu.edu/...spring-2024.doc

[Big Frog II]

Sounds like major work to South University through campus this summer: https://www.tcu.edu/...rsity-drive.php

A few facilities items in the Spring Board agenda outline: Master Plan, a Sesquicentennial Plaza, and an unnamed Private Partnership Development. The first and third are quite interesting. https://www.tcu.edu/...spring-2024.doc

I think I heard they were going to build some more housing complexes like the one on Berry Street.