old Mrs. Bairds plant

[NavyCrimson]

NO JOKE M75 -

i would love that to happen!!!

[EastStang]

Rule 1 don't sell real estate if you don't have to. Remember you can usually get a mixed parking/office structure (aka Meadows Library). Second, any idea that the Baird's site might be the site of a new basketball arena or is it too small?

[A-town Pony]

SMU is definately exploring the option for more student housing on the Baird's site. An RFI has been distributed almost a year ago to different student housing development companies. The earliest they would build wouldn't be for a few more years. Everything is conceptual at this point as it stands. Additionally, I wouldn't be surprised if SMU is working with a landscape architect to tie in multiple uses for the Baird site.

[LA_Mustang]

any idea that the Baird's site might be the site of a new basketball arena or is it too small?

There's no reason to build a new basketball arena. If renovated (similar to what Okie St did to their arena), Moody can be a jewel.

[Hoop Fan]

don't we have all the student housing any university could want just across Greenville, ie The Village. What does putting student housing there do for the school? Just a money maker or is it something the school needs to improve its offering and attact students?

[A-town Pony]

There is plenty of student housing across Greenville. I used to live there during my time at SMU. However, from a marketing and cash flow standpoint SMU is behind the curve compared to many other universities 'on-campus' student housing. SMU's housing (even with the recent freshman quad renovations) is still antiquated compared to other private universities. The new trend in housing is for private accomodations, private baths, and modern amenties. The days of the old community bathrooms have gone the way of the dinosaur to kids attending college these days. New housing would offer the chance to offer private 1/1s, suite style 2/2s, 4/2s) which is what almost every university across the country is doing now. For example, TCU is in the process of rehabing their entire Greek Housing & planning on building 2000 new student beds in private accomodations on recently acquired land near/on their campus. Basically all planned growth. Many other public/private universites nationwide are doing the same as we speak.

From a cash flow perspective, SMU can gain revenue through the issuance of low interest rate 'General Reveue. Tax-Exempt' bonds backed by the university which will be more than offset by the additional rental receipts of new students (assuming development costs aren't astronomical). Additionally, with all the new education buildings SMU has built, we must be planning for future growth. We do need the additoinal housing to offer students the choice to live on campus from both a cost & marketing standpoint.

We're just like Disneyland - control all the land around you and make money on the park, the hotels, the restaurants, etc.

[gostangs]

yes - and I also hear we are wanting to be a bit bigger as far as our undergrad classes go - which is tough to do and still maintain the academic rep - but we need to be 7,500 - 9,000 not 5-7,500 in order to break out as more of a tier 1 university. would not hurt our athletic att. either.

[Cheesesteak]

Posted by A-town Pony:

"SMU's housing (even with the recent freshman quad renovations) is still antiquated compared to other private universities. The new trend in housing is for private accomodations, private baths, and modern amenties. The days of the old community bathrooms have gone the way of the dinosaur to kids attending college these days. New housing would offer the chance to offer private 1/1s, suite style 2/2s, 4/2s) which is what almost every university across the country is doing now."

I agree and was about to make a similar post. Universities are competing for students using housing and athletics/activities centers as selling points. While SMU has broken ground on an expansion of Dedman LS and intends to renovate the original/attached DLS building SMU's current housing and general student athletics facilities must be in the bottom quarter of universities it considers peers or overlaps.

SMU students are paying for the new Dedman LS building.

The college housing and student athletics centers that I see on some northeast campuses are superior to the apartments and high-end health clubs that many recent college graduates (with decent paying jobs) live/exercise in. The era of a small shared room and a few basketball courts/exercise rooms pleasing most students is over.

[Ponymon]

But, I dare say, the walking scenery up north generally isn't as good as down south!

[A-town Pony]

Well stated Ponymon. As someone formerly in the student housing industry and one who's been to many college campuses there isn't anything quite like the south & left coast.

[weststang]

The Baird's site is most definitely for the GWB library, provided we get it. The libraries have no room for a large acquisition, and this provides that space.

[Bergermeister]

huh?

[GoRedGoBlue]

The Baird's site is most definitely for the GWB library, provided we get it. The libraries have no room for a large acquisition, and this provides that space.

It may go across Central as well, behind 6060 where the old CIne is...

That has a DART rail access, very attractive to people 'commuting' to see it and not worry about parking.

[Cheesesteak]

Today's DMN says that UT is joining the fight for the Bush Library.

[SWC2010]

Today's DMN says that UT is joining the fight for the Bush Library.

Yeah, I can see the Prez placing his library on the campus where his application to UT Law School was declined.