FORT WORTH—Tarleton State University broke ground this week on the first building of its planned campus on 80 acres, donated by the Walton Group of Companies, along Chisholm Trail Parkway. The Texas A&M University System board of regents approved construction plans and an almost $41 million budget last fall for the 76,000-square-foot three-story academic building.

“Fort Worth's continued economic development depends on education,” said Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price. “When businesses consider a move to North Texas, educational opportunities are a top priority. Tarleton increases the options and promotes Fort Worth's reputation as a creative, innovative and vibrant community where people of all ages from all backgrounds can succeed.”

GlobeSt.com learns the new Tarleton State University Fort Worth Building 1 is a multipurpose academic building for the new campus located southwest of Fort Worth. The building will include general use classrooms, tiered classrooms, computer labs, teaching labs, departmental and faculty offices, and support space, meeting rooms and study spaces. The infrastructure to serve the new building and campus includes extending utilities from the campus property line to the building including electricity, voice/data, natural gas, water, waste water and storm water. Other infrastructure includes roads, sidewalks, parking lots, landscaping and a detention pond. In addition to updated learning environments, common gathering spaces, offices and a large event area, the first building will include a one-stop shop for student services and a community counseling center offering assistance on a sliding-fee scale.

The Dallas office of Perkins+Will is the architect/designer and Holder Construction is the builder.

This project is significant as the first building on Tarleton's new campus that will be part of larger development in the area, including retail shopping, residential housing, a 75-acre park and an elementary school. Perkins+Will's multi-purpose design of the building will allow the university to provide classes and degree programs that support the workforce needs of local businesses, GlobeSt.com learns.

“A flourishing Fort Worth campus advances that goal, giving students access to a quality, affordable education and increased opportunities for success,” said Charles W. Schwartz, chairman of the Texas A&M System board of regents. “We are extremely grateful to the Walton Companies, the legislature and the city of Fort Worth for making this day a reality. After 100 years as a founding member of the A&M System and a 40-year presence in Fort Worth, Tarleton is putting down permanent roots in Tarrant County. We couldn't be more proud.”

Tarleton came to Fort Worth in 1978 with eight students on West Myrtle Street, moved to the Richard C. Schaffer Building on Enderly Place in the 90s and expanded to the Hickman Building on Camp Bowie Boulevard in 2006. Today, Tarleton-Fort Worth offers more than 40 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs to a diverse student population of working adults, community college graduates and returning students.

Tarleton offers degree programs in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online to more than 13,000 students. Tarleton-Fort Worth currently serves approximately 2,000 students. Projected enrollment at move in for the first building—in fall 2019—is 2,500. Depending on resource availability for additional buildings, the campus could serve 9,000 students by 2030.

Projections are based on Tarleton's long-standing partnerships with Tarrant County, Weatherford, Hill and Collin colleges to create major-related transfer agreements or pathways for students to seamlessly complete degrees, as well as anticipated population growth in North Texas and the number of students choosing to add a graduate degree for career development.

“As our North Texas economy continues to grow and evolve, colleges and universities play an integral role in meeting workforce needs,” says Tarrant County College chancellor Gene Giovannini. “TCC and Tarleton are leaders in preparing today's students for tomorrow's economy, and we value the chance to expand our existing partnership to provide more transfer pathways and opportunities for students at the new Tarleton-Fort Worth campus.”

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First Building Breaks Ground on Campus

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