What’s New at UTD? Work on Arts, Student Buildings Reshapes Campus

Newcomers and returning students, faculty and staff coming to The University of Texas at Dallas for the fall semester will see the beginning of a new cultural district and progress on a pair of new student-focused buildings as the University prepares to welcome an expected student population of nearly 31,000.

"As we grow, UT Dallas continues to build facilities and infrastructure that enhances the student, faculty, staff and visitor experience that our students, faculty and community are asking for," said Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, vice president for facilities and economic development. "We're also making other changes, such as transportation improvements, which should significantly help our students and the overall campus community."

Construction

The first phase of the new Edith and Peter O'Donnell Athenaeum, which is scheduled to open in late September, marks the beginning of a 12-acre cultural district on campus. The first phase will feature the UT Dallas Art Museums, including a second home for the Crow Museum of Asian Art. Students, faculty and staff can begin visiting the UTD galleries Sept. 28. Concurrently, ground will be broken on the O'Donnell Athenaeum's second phase, a new 66,900-square-foot performance hall, which will feature seating for 700 guests, as well as a 300-seat outdoor performance space, rehearsal rooms, offices, classrooms and meeting spaces.

Work continues on an esports and gaming center, located within the current Student Union. With an expected completion date of January 2025, the two-floor, 15,000-square-foot Comets LANding area will feature an open gaming lounge with more than 50 stations, a multipurpose gaming arena with spectator seating, broadcast and production space, and a new eatery.

The largest active construction project on campus is the new 360,000-square-foot Student Success Center/Student Union, which is expected to be completed in late 2026. The Student Success Center will include classrooms, a 400-seat lecture hall, and spaces for the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Student Success Center, the Office of Graduate Education, the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Educational Technology Services.

The new Student Union facility will more than double the current Student Union's capacity. Key features of the new building will include new retail dining concepts, lounge seating, an outdoor amphitheater, group study rooms, a creativity lab and meeting rooms.

Work on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line continues with an expected completion date of late 2025 or early 2026. Trains are already being tested on the tracks near the new UT Dallas Station north of campus. When finished, the 26-mile regional rail service will serve seven cities as well as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Parking and Transportation

While campus construction has affected some campus parking, two new parking lots with 446 spaces are available east of Armstrong Drive and south of the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

Virtual parking permits may be purchased online or in person at the PS3 parking office (PS3 1.200).

The number of metered parking spaces on campus has increased 29% for fall semester. Metered parking is available in Lot B1, Lot F (Visitor Center), Lot M East and UTD's three parking structures (PS1, PS3 and PS4). Metered parking in Lot B1 and Lot M East only accepts PayByPhone. All other locations accept both payment via credit/debit card at a central meter or PayByPhone.

Parking and Transportation Services has collaborated with DART to continue a pilot service expansion on Route 883 East for the Comet Cruiser. Frequency will be every 15 minutes from the previous 30-minute frequency. The route serves students, faculty and staff who commute to campus from CityLine/Bush Station, and from nearby residential communities along Renner Road and Alma Road. Riders are not required to have a DART pass or special identification to ride the Comet Cruiser, and the service is free to ride.

In addition, two new DART bus routes have been introduced to further enhance service to the UTD community. With stops along the campus perimeter, routes 232 and 244 will offer additional public transportation options for Comets. A DART local pass is required for routes 232 and 244.

Students can apply for DART passes via the DART mobile app. To request a DART GoPass for a mobile phone, you must be an enrolled UT Dallas student with a valid Comet Card.

Dining

A new restaurant will open in the Comet Café in the Student Union. TEACo. will be located between The Halal Shack and Firehouse Subs on the second level of the building. It offers boba tea, a variety of coffee and tea drinks, and smoothies, as well as pho, bibimbap and spicy noodle soup.

The smart vending machine, Farmer's Fridge, will return this fall. Located between the Student Union Market and the Comet Café, Farmer's Fridge offers fresh salads, bowls, sandwiches and snacks that come in recyclable containers.

Food trucks are also coming back to campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and will be located just north of the Sciences Building. The UTD/Starship robots will deliver food all across campus, including to Synergy Park North, Synergy Park North 2 and Northside.

Visit the dining website, and follow dining updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.