St. Edward's University Eyes Possible $100 Million Expansion

Dr. George E. Martin has big plans for St. Edward’s University on Congress St. in Austin.The president of the private, Catholic liberal arts institution for nearly 3,700 students not only wants to double student enrollment by 2010, but is proposing an ambitious master plan – costing possibly $100 million – to add at least a dozen campus buildings.

University officials are quick to point out the cost or potential funding sources haven’t fine-tuned. St. Edward’s board of trustees is expected to approve Martin’s plan at its Sept. 15 meeting, according to sources.

To double the student population, the university will need at least 50 more classrooms and as many as 1,400 extra beds to accommodate that kind of enrollment increase, say officials. Martin’s preliminary plan calls for the demolition of four residence halls — Fleck, Premont, Doyle and Andre. The school’s wooden chapel, which also has been a bowling alley and a rifle range, most likely would be torn down as well. The president’s proposal calls for new halls on the northwest and northeast parts of the campus, with new classroom buildings erected east of the Main Building.

By fall 2002, officials want to see completion of a new academic building with an estimated 15 classrooms and 24 offices. Also on the wish list is a refurbishment and expansion of St. Edward’s library, with another expansion planned for the recreation and convocation center to encompass the old gymnasium.

The Mary Moody Northen Theatre would be razed to make way for a new chapel. St. Edward’s president envisions a new theater, classroom building and arts museum going up near the campus’s Congress Ave. A treed campus section fronting Interstate 35 would be reconfigured to allow construction of a maintenance facility, tennis courts and athletic fields. In addition, Martin wants to change the road system to add more distinctive north and south entrances.