SMU, UD among Bush library finalists
Texas Tech group, Baylor also still in contention; Arlington, A&M, UT out
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
By KIM BREEN / The Dallas Morning News
Southern Methodist University and the University of Dallas are in.
So are Baylor University in Waco and a group led by Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
The list of finalists to house the George W. Bush Presidential Library has been narrowed from seven to four, Donald Evans, head of the library selection committee, confirmed Wednesday night.
"It will be the finest presidential library museum that has been built," said Mr. Evans, former commerce secretary and Mr. Bush's longtime friend.
Three other groups had applied: the city of Arlington, Texas A&M and the University of Texas System.
The four finalists have been asked to make oral presentations about their proposals in Washington next month, Mr. Evans said.
The library is expected to cost $200 million to $300 million, financed with private donations.
The president and first lady Laura Bush – an SMU alum and trustee – will have the final say on the library, but they'll consult a committee led by Mr. Evans and Marvin Bush, Mr. Bush's youngest brother.
"We're really happy and gratified and honored to be taken to the next level of consideration," said Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs at SMU. He said the university's proposals have the merits and attributes that they hope will make it the president's pick.
Sheila Allee, spokeswoman for Texas Tech, said she learned Wednesday afternoon that her school was on the list of four finalists.
"We are very excited," she said. "We are looking forward to continuing in the process."
The group headed by Texas Tech also includes Lubbock, Midland, where the Bushes grew up, and other West Texas communities and colleges.
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck said he got the call earlier this week that his city didn't make the cut. "I respect that decision," he said.
Mr. Evans said the committee received seven "really outstanding" proposals. "All of them will make a contribution and add to the final design [and plans for] the library."
He said earlier this month that Mr. Bush would like to have as part of the library an institute "that is a think tank of scholars and researchers that will continue to study and research and report and write and speak on the issues that are important to him – freedom and democracy, compassionate conservatives, broad reform, economic reform.'"
"The president will be a young man, filled with lots of energy when his term comes to an end. So, it is certainly something that he will be very involved in, that he expects to be involved in after leaving office."
Staff writers G. Robert Hillman and Holly Yan contributed to this article.
SMU, UD among Bush library finalists
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SMU, UD among Bush library finalists
by Cheesesteak » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:49 am
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by PonyTales » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:55 am
My assumption is that it's already coming here, and they're dragging out this tiresome charade in an effort to drum up interest. This is as exciting as those "tune in next week for the dramatic conclusion" TV shows. Just make the damn announcement and get it over with.
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by MrMustang1965 » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:34 am
from the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram today:
ARLINGTON - The City of Arlington has lost its bid for the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Mayor Robert Cluck said late Wednesday.
Cluck, who had formed a presidential library committee several months ago, said he was told the news a few days ago by someone on the Bush selection committee.
He declined to say who told him.
Don Evans, the former commerce secretary who sits on the committee, told the Star-Telegram that the finalists were Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the University of Dallas in Irving, Baylor University in Waco and a West Texas coalition that includes Texas Tech University.
Cluck said he was a little surprised by the committee's timing. Organizers of Arlington's bid had sent a proposal to the library screening committee last month.
"I thought it might have been longer," he said. "But the fact that it hasn't been longer is not a bother.
"I know we put in a great bid. Now it's just time to go ahead and support whoever wins."
Cluck said he is rooting for SMU, where he attended pre-medical classes.
SMU is considered a front-runner by some because the first lady is an alumna and the Bushes once lived in Dallas.
Arlington's bid included help from the University of Texas at Arlington and Tom Hicks, who owns the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars.
Organizers had identified four potential sites, two of which were at least 100 acres.
Arlington had been one of seven cities or schools vying for the library. In addition to those listed, other bidders were the University of Texas System based in Austin and Texas A&M University, site of George H.W. Bush's library.
ARLINGTON - The City of Arlington has lost its bid for the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Mayor Robert Cluck said late Wednesday.
Cluck, who had formed a presidential library committee several months ago, said he was told the news a few days ago by someone on the Bush selection committee.
He declined to say who told him.
Don Evans, the former commerce secretary who sits on the committee, told the Star-Telegram that the finalists were Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the University of Dallas in Irving, Baylor University in Waco and a West Texas coalition that includes Texas Tech University.
Cluck said he was a little surprised by the committee's timing. Organizers of Arlington's bid had sent a proposal to the library screening committee last month.
"I thought it might have been longer," he said. "But the fact that it hasn't been longer is not a bother.
"I know we put in a great bid. Now it's just time to go ahead and support whoever wins."
Cluck said he is rooting for SMU, where he attended pre-medical classes.
SMU is considered a front-runner by some because the first lady is an alumna and the Bushes once lived in Dallas.
Arlington's bid included help from the University of Texas at Arlington and Tom Hicks, who owns the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars.
Organizers had identified four potential sites, two of which were at least 100 acres.
Arlington had been one of seven cities or schools vying for the library. In addition to those listed, other bidders were the University of Texas System based in Austin and Texas A&M University, site of George H.W. Bush's library.
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by Cheesesteak » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:54 pm
Bush library race is too close to call
But experts suspect location and personal appeal will be key
10:23 PM CDT on Thursday, October 13, 2005
By KIM BREEN / The Dallas Morning News
Want to host a presidential library? Best have plenty of room, quick access to an interstate and maybe a couple of skyscrapers.
Intellectual heft doesn't hurt, and never underestimate the power of a tug at the heartstrings.
Being named finalists to be the home for the George W. Bush Presidential Library hasn't loosened any lips about the proposals submitted by Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, the University of Dallas or Texas Tech University.
But those familiar with presidential libraries said the selection would likely come down to a few deal-makers or breakers – prestige, space, location and personal appeal. While a committee is helping the Bushes in their search, the decision to pick a home for the $200 million to $300 million facility, in the end, is theirs alone.
Skip Rutherford, chairman of the foundation behind former President Bill Clinton's library in Little Rock, Ark., said representatives from Baylor, SMU and the University of Dallas visited before drafting proposals.
"Based on what I've seen and what I've read, President Bush has some very fine proposals" to choose from, Mr. Rutherford said.
He said SMU, in Dallas, and the University of Dallas, in Irving, have the benefit of being in or near a big city. The University of Dallas also has plenty of land and is within reach of Dallas Area Rapid Transit and highways. Baylor also has quick interstate access and plenty of land, and it's on the Brazos River in Waco, which would give it nice curb appeal.
Still, SMU has Laura Bush, a trustee and alumna. "The Laura Bush connection can certainly never be underestimated," Mr. Rutherford said.
The country's first presidential libraries sprouted most often in the hometowns of presidents, said Thomas Alan Schwartz, a history professor at Vanderbilt University. Many modern presidents have instead chosen convenient sites, often in cities. Many of the libraries are affiliated with universities.
"My educated guess would be they'd go with a place like SMU," Dr. Schwartz said. It's got a connection to the family, and might fit in best with the way the president wants to be remembered, he said. "SMU would carry a certain cache," he said.
Tourism is key
Like other presidents who have retired at a relatively young age, President Bush has indicated he wants the library to house a think tank. His archives will grow over time as he continues to leave his mark on the world, so that will require that the library have room to grow, Mr. Rutherford said.
But one of the biggest considerations has to be for tourism, he said.
"Ninety-nine percent of the people who use a presidential library are tourists," he said. Little Rock's population is 175,000. The Clinton library has drawn 460,000 people since November 2004. It's important that the library be visible and easy to reach, Mr. Rutherford said.
The major drawback of libraries on college campuses is in handling tourists, he said. Those sites have to contend with two perennial campus problems: traffic and parking.
Each location would hold a certain personal allure to the president and Mrs. Bush. Baylor is close to their ranch in Crawford and is between Dallas and Austin.
The University of Dallas is near Texas Stadium. The Texas Tech proposal is a group effort involving several West Texas colleges and communities, including Midland College. The Bushes both grew up in Midland.
Rumors have long put the Dallas area, and SMU specifically, ahead of the pack. Mrs. Bush has said that after leaving the White House the couple would probably split their time between Crawford and a second home in Dallas.
Mr. Bush might have tipped his hand a bit in an exchange published in USA Today in August about where he'll live after the White House. "Crawford, plus – I suspect – close to the library, wherever it might be," he said, adding, "Now, that shouldn't – if the library is in Waco, then obviously Crawford is close to the library."
The library will be the third presidential library in Texas, as well as the state's third in a university setting. Texas A&M, which submitted a proposal but didn't make the cut, is home to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. The University of Texas System, which also lost out on the next library, has the Lyndon B. Johnson Museum on its Austin campus.
Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs at SMU, maintained his silence Thursday on the proposal the university began developing more than four years ago. He dispelled concern that SMU doesn't have enough room for the library.
He said no other competitor could offer what SMU has.
"I think the breadth of our academic programs, the history of our university in this city, and our proven record of partnering with institutions of higher learning on efforts throughout our history is in many ways unique."
University of Dallas president Frank Lazarus called the school's location – near two airports and an interstate – an asset. The library would be on the northwest corner of campus on land to be named Freedom Park.
"A presidential library would be a tremendous intellectual resource for any academic community," Dr. Lazarus said.
Baylor plan
The Baylor proposal would put the library north of campus across from the Brazos River on about 150 acres. Tommye Lou Davis, chief of staff to the chancellor, said the university has been acquiring land for the library for five years.
A private landowner has also agreed to donate land if the president selects Baylor. She declined to reveal details of the proposal, saying the proposal was written for Mr. and Mrs. Bush.
"Baylor has some specialties that we feel are significant," she said. "We have more than 80 years of archival experience. We're one of the few universities in Texas that has a museum studies program for undergraduate and graduate students, so we have students that are ready to welcome a project like this."
Ms. Davis said she feels the university's mission aligns with that of Mr. Bush.
"We feel that as a faith-based institution we offer the president and first lady a lot of flexibility," she said. "We're not bound like state institutions by regulations. We have more freedom."
David A. Miller, chairman of the West Texas coalition vying for the library, said the Texas Tech-based coalition includes 10 colleges and countless communities willing to pitch in. "This president believes in coalescing with people." He said the coalition was late to start working on its proposal, but West Texas is used to doing more with less, he said. "It's very Bush-like to make the most of your resources."
Staff writer Katherine Leal Unmuth contributed to this report.
But experts suspect location and personal appeal will be key
10:23 PM CDT on Thursday, October 13, 2005
By KIM BREEN / The Dallas Morning News
Want to host a presidential library? Best have plenty of room, quick access to an interstate and maybe a couple of skyscrapers.
Intellectual heft doesn't hurt, and never underestimate the power of a tug at the heartstrings.
Being named finalists to be the home for the George W. Bush Presidential Library hasn't loosened any lips about the proposals submitted by Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, the University of Dallas or Texas Tech University.
But those familiar with presidential libraries said the selection would likely come down to a few deal-makers or breakers – prestige, space, location and personal appeal. While a committee is helping the Bushes in their search, the decision to pick a home for the $200 million to $300 million facility, in the end, is theirs alone.
Skip Rutherford, chairman of the foundation behind former President Bill Clinton's library in Little Rock, Ark., said representatives from Baylor, SMU and the University of Dallas visited before drafting proposals.
"Based on what I've seen and what I've read, President Bush has some very fine proposals" to choose from, Mr. Rutherford said.
He said SMU, in Dallas, and the University of Dallas, in Irving, have the benefit of being in or near a big city. The University of Dallas also has plenty of land and is within reach of Dallas Area Rapid Transit and highways. Baylor also has quick interstate access and plenty of land, and it's on the Brazos River in Waco, which would give it nice curb appeal.
Still, SMU has Laura Bush, a trustee and alumna. "The Laura Bush connection can certainly never be underestimated," Mr. Rutherford said.
The country's first presidential libraries sprouted most often in the hometowns of presidents, said Thomas Alan Schwartz, a history professor at Vanderbilt University. Many modern presidents have instead chosen convenient sites, often in cities. Many of the libraries are affiliated with universities.
"My educated guess would be they'd go with a place like SMU," Dr. Schwartz said. It's got a connection to the family, and might fit in best with the way the president wants to be remembered, he said. "SMU would carry a certain cache," he said.
Tourism is key
Like other presidents who have retired at a relatively young age, President Bush has indicated he wants the library to house a think tank. His archives will grow over time as he continues to leave his mark on the world, so that will require that the library have room to grow, Mr. Rutherford said.
But one of the biggest considerations has to be for tourism, he said.
"Ninety-nine percent of the people who use a presidential library are tourists," he said. Little Rock's population is 175,000. The Clinton library has drawn 460,000 people since November 2004. It's important that the library be visible and easy to reach, Mr. Rutherford said.
The major drawback of libraries on college campuses is in handling tourists, he said. Those sites have to contend with two perennial campus problems: traffic and parking.
Each location would hold a certain personal allure to the president and Mrs. Bush. Baylor is close to their ranch in Crawford and is between Dallas and Austin.
The University of Dallas is near Texas Stadium. The Texas Tech proposal is a group effort involving several West Texas colleges and communities, including Midland College. The Bushes both grew up in Midland.
Rumors have long put the Dallas area, and SMU specifically, ahead of the pack. Mrs. Bush has said that after leaving the White House the couple would probably split their time between Crawford and a second home in Dallas.
Mr. Bush might have tipped his hand a bit in an exchange published in USA Today in August about where he'll live after the White House. "Crawford, plus – I suspect – close to the library, wherever it might be," he said, adding, "Now, that shouldn't – if the library is in Waco, then obviously Crawford is close to the library."
The library will be the third presidential library in Texas, as well as the state's third in a university setting. Texas A&M, which submitted a proposal but didn't make the cut, is home to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. The University of Texas System, which also lost out on the next library, has the Lyndon B. Johnson Museum on its Austin campus.
Brad Cheves, vice president for development and external affairs at SMU, maintained his silence Thursday on the proposal the university began developing more than four years ago. He dispelled concern that SMU doesn't have enough room for the library.
He said no other competitor could offer what SMU has.
"I think the breadth of our academic programs, the history of our university in this city, and our proven record of partnering with institutions of higher learning on efforts throughout our history is in many ways unique."
University of Dallas president Frank Lazarus called the school's location – near two airports and an interstate – an asset. The library would be on the northwest corner of campus on land to be named Freedom Park.
"A presidential library would be a tremendous intellectual resource for any academic community," Dr. Lazarus said.
Baylor plan
The Baylor proposal would put the library north of campus across from the Brazos River on about 150 acres. Tommye Lou Davis, chief of staff to the chancellor, said the university has been acquiring land for the library for five years.
A private landowner has also agreed to donate land if the president selects Baylor. She declined to reveal details of the proposal, saying the proposal was written for Mr. and Mrs. Bush.
"Baylor has some specialties that we feel are significant," she said. "We have more than 80 years of archival experience. We're one of the few universities in Texas that has a museum studies program for undergraduate and graduate students, so we have students that are ready to welcome a project like this."
Ms. Davis said she feels the university's mission aligns with that of Mr. Bush.
"We feel that as a faith-based institution we offer the president and first lady a lot of flexibility," she said. "We're not bound like state institutions by regulations. We have more freedom."
David A. Miller, chairman of the West Texas coalition vying for the library, said the Texas Tech-based coalition includes 10 colleges and countless communities willing to pitch in. "This president believes in coalescing with people." He said the coalition was late to start working on its proposal, but West Texas is used to doing more with less, he said. "It's very Bush-like to make the most of your resources."
Staff writer Katherine Leal Unmuth contributed to this report.
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by that's great raplh » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:11 am
i hope we get it
it will be a big win for SMU and it will raise our national visibility
it will be a big win for SMU and it will raise our national visibility
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by friarwolf » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:58 am
Let me see if I have this straight. You could put the library where Texas Stadium sits now and have lovely views of..........mesquite trees and freeway to the west, freeway and old junky industrial buildings to the south, a levee and concrete to the north, and old junky industrial buildings and more concrete freeways to the east or...on the edge of Highland Park with a beautiful campus to the west and north, newly redeveloped Mockingbird Station to the east, and a view of downtown Dallas to the south - with freeway access. Boy, I am having a hard time choosing.............
Waco????? That destination hotbed? Please....................
Same for Lubbock.
Waco????? That destination hotbed? Please....................
Same for Lubbock.
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by MrMustang1965 » Fri Oct 14, 2005 10:57 am
Just picking at straws...it's actually University Park.friarwolf wrote:...on the edge of Highland Park...
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by MrMustang1965 » Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:31 am
True. But the 'word on the street' is that the library would be built where the University Garden Apartments are located, not the old Mrs. Baird's bakery.PK wrote:Ah, but HP is just across Mockingbird and if the site is the old Mrs. Bairds tract, it is in Dallas on the edge of HP.
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by Bergermeister » Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:32 pm
I'll post this just one more time. It's over. It's a done deal. For what reason they're still having people jump through hoops is a mystery to me. The Liberry will be at SMU. The End.
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by SoCal_Pony » Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:07 pm
No offense MM65, but wasn't your 'word on the street' that we had lost the library to UT???
Going in, I thought UT and Arlington would be our biggest contenders...now they are both out of it...maybe it is a slam-dunk after all.
And Friarwolf...your description of UD is both hilarious and accurate...maybe that it why it is so funny
Going in, I thought UT and Arlington would be our biggest contenders...now they are both out of it...maybe it is a slam-dunk after all.
And Friarwolf...your description of UD is both hilarious and accurate...maybe that it why it is so funny
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