Put another feather in UT Arlington’s cap

The University of Texas at Arlington, already the second-largest school in the University of Texas System, is getting ready to grow again.

UT System regents approved plans on Thursday for a $125 million addition to the Arlington campus, the 220,000-square-foot Science and Engineering Innovation and Research building.

The Texas limestone, steel-and-glass structure is set for construction beginning this fall, with substantial completion expected in summer 2018.

“The project will add 900 teaching seats in lecture halls and classrooms, which will support enrollment growth across campus, especially the planned growth in the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation and the College of Science,” a news release said.

UT Arlington enrolled 37,000 students last fall, more than 51,000 when online programs are included. It’s a major driver of the economy of Arlington and Tarrant County as a whole. Science, engineering and nursing are some of its key attractions for students.

Congratulations to UTA.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Put another feather in UT Arlington’s cap."