UNT regents approve property purchases

Property considerations, authorization to proceed with design and construction of another new residence hall/dining facility and amending the shuttle bus service contract were items that topped the agenda of the fall UNT System Board of Regents meeting Nov. 21 and 22.

Meeting at the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth, the Regents approved the purchase or authorized the pursuit of purchase of six properties on the west side of the campus along Prairie Street between North Texas Boulevard and Avenue G. Small businesses and apartment units currently occupy the properties. Approved funding sources include institutional funds, revenue bonds and the Higher Education Assistance Fund (HEAF).

The board also directed the university to pursue the purchase of the Sierra Apartments property at 1811 Maple in order to continue development of a park-like space on campus between the Gateway Center and the Hurley Administration Building — in accordance with the University Master Plan and recommendations by the Campus Beautification Committee. The purchase price is to be based on fair market cash value.

In an additional new property vote, the regents authorized the purchase of 10 to 12.9 acres south of the campus and immediately north of the Liberty Christian School property that will become part of UNT in the summer of 2004. Current plans call for this new land to be developed as a satellite parking lot. Contract terms, including a price that does not exceed the appraisal figure and applicable closing costs, are to be determined by university negotiators and the seller.

In view of the fact that the university will still have an immediate shortfall in available beds in student housing even after a new 300-bed residence hall opens in Fall 2003, The board approved plans for the university to proceed with a 500- to 600-bed residence hall and dining facility to open in Fall 2004. The cost of the new hall will be $29 million.

After a review of extensive research of shuttle bus services at other universities and encouraging results from the first three semesters of E-trans service at UNT, the Regents authorized an increase from six to 16 E-trans shuttle buses with expanded routes and hours of operation throughout the year. The new shuttle services will raise the cost of the current contract with B. Noble Coaches from $403,000 to between $1.5 million and $2 million per year. Those costs will be covered by auxiliary funds and the new student transportation fee that goes into effect in January.

Other board actions included:

• Conferring Emeritus status on Nancy Berry, visual arts; Russell Bilyeu, mathematics; Donald Chipman, history; Michael Collins, musicology; Manus Donahue, biological sciences; the late Cliff Hardy, teacher education and administration; Kenneth Lavender, libraries; Ruthanne Masaracchia, biological sciences; Charldean Newell, public administration; Lloyd Parks, English; Patricia Summers, speech and hearing services; Jim Sybert, physics; and Nick Vaughan, mathematics.
• Authorization to amend the terms of the university's lease agreement with FHC Management Hotel Co. to permit termination as necessary for future university development of the golf course property.
• Selection of Hisaw and Associates General Contractors Inc. as the construction contractor for the first phase of renovation and movement of University Services space to the UNT Research Park for a cost not to exceed $1,346,886. HEAF will be the source of funding.
• Authorization to approve a mineral lease for the UNT golf course with Superior P&E LLC and Enexco Inc. for directional drilling from a site off the course.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Mean Green returning to New Orleans Bowl Dec. 17
• Art patron, philanthropist to speak at fall commencement
• About the commencement speaker
• Weather closing information
• SECC at UNT brings in more than $140,000
• Faculty Senate hears academic budget report, forecast for 2003 legislative session
• Staff Council chair encourages teamwork, spirit of cooperation
• Hobbits returning to theaters this holiday season
• Honors Day nomination forms due Dec. 14
• Think Green, It's Friday spirit contest winners

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