Texas has already announced a formal RFP and hopes to have construction plans finalized by SeptemberGETTY IMAGES
The Univ. of Texas has "officially narrowed its list of possible locations for a new basketball arena," which could have a projected cost of $350-450M, according to Brian Davis of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. UT President Greg Fenves on Friday announced that any new arena will "either go on the parking lot just south of the Mike A. Myers Stadium -- long considered the No. 1 choice internally -- or where the School of Social Work stands just south of Royal-Memorial Stadium." The second location would also "engulf the Recreational Sports Center." The school announced a formal RFP and "hopes to have construction plans finalized by September." A new arena "should be 'smaller and more intimate than the Erwin Center,'" which has an announced capacity of 16,540 for basketball games, but is "rarely ever full." The new arena also will "include men’s and women’s practice facilities, as Cooley Pavilion will be demolished along with the Erwin Center" (HOOKEM.com, 2/2). In Austin, Will Anderson reported "no new parking spaces will be added." The school said that existing garages and lots "can meet game-day parking needs" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/2).
