Fort Worth, TX December 3, 2012
TCU continues to enhance and update facilities to provide a total university experience. Now TCU is addressing new opportunities. In February of 2012, the Board of Trustees approved a new phase of Vision in Action, the University’s strategic plan, called the Academy of Tomorrow that will guide TCU for the next six years and beyond. The Board set out three areas of focus in creating the Academy of Tomorrow: enhancing the University’s academic profile and strengthening its reputation, fine-tuning the size and balance of the student body and constructing an optimal campus environment.
Design development began on a vital component of the Academy of Tomorrow — an Intellectual Commons on the east campus intended to be as transformative as the existing Campus Commons has been to the west. Designed to foster innovation and collaboration and to create interdisciplinary connections, it will include:
• A transformation of the Mary Couts Burnett Library
• A new instructional building east of the library
• An addition to the Annie Richardson Bass Building and renovation of existing space for Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Construction on the Intellectual Commons begins mid-December 2012 and will continue until Aug. 2014 for the Instructional Building. Construction and renovation on the Annie Richardson Bass building begins mid-December 2012 and continues until Aug. 2014 for the building addition and until Dec. 2014 for the renovation.
When construction begins, fencing and prep work will require some parking, including Handicap parking to be relocated.
Beginning Dec. 2012, parking in the Annie Richardson Bass parking lot will not be available and approximately 30 spots in the Mary Couts Burnett Library lot will be unavailable. Handicap parking will be available in lots on West Lowden and Lubbock Streets. Additionally, in March 2013, no parking will be available in the Mary Couts Burnett Library lot.
Once construction begins, the North entrance to the Annie Richardson Bass building will be closed.
Construction typically occurs between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday. For more information on the projects and for renderings, visit www.construction.tcu.edu.