DESIGN FINALIZED FOR NEW UT-ARLINGTON EVENT CENTER

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The University of Texas System Board of Regents has finalized the design for the new special events center for the University of Texas – Arlington (UTA). Designed by HKS Inc., the $78 million project will consist of a 218,000-square-foot arena with seating for up to 6,500 people. The building will serve as the home of UTA's basketball and volleyball teams as well as host commencement ceremonies and other community events. The project is applying for LEED-Silver certification, with sustainable features that include almost building-height, low-e glazed exterior windows to let natural light in, a reflective roof, a low-use water system, and the use of regional construction materials and native landscaping. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2010 and completion is expected in early 2012. The center is part of an effort to establish the university's east campus. The event center will open onto a new pedestrian mall that will be built on what is now Second Street, between Center and Pecan streets. Additionally, a four-story, mixed-use residence hall and parking garage will be built immediately north of the events center.