University of Texas at El Paso Unveils Green Campus Transformation Plans
As The University of Texas at El Paso approaches the celebration of its 100th anniversary, the university has begun a new phase in the recent expansion of its campus facilities.
On July 23, UTEP President Diana Natalicio unveiled final renderings for eight projects that will use pedestrian walkways and green spaces to knit together campus buildings, creating a climate consistent with UTEP's development as a national research (Tier One) university with a 21st century student demographic.
The projects will create quality-of-life enhancements not only for the UTEP campus but also for the city of El Paso.
Interconnected walkways, bike paths and organic campus trails will improve circulation to and from classes and increase pedestrian safety. Interspersed among the walkways will be shady retreats.
The campus transformation will reduce the amount of pavement on campus and create a greener environment that uses native landscaping and creates shade while filtering the air and water. Subsurface irrigation, rainwater harvesting and other responsible water use techniques will reduce maintenance and utility costs. The university will use a variety of drought-tolerant shade trees and environmentally sensitive shrubs that are native to the Chihuahuan Desert or that grow well in the region.
“The campus transformation project, designed by Lake/Flato and Ten Eyck architectural firms, honors UTEP’s rich heritage, our unique setting on the U.S.-Mexico border and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert,” Natalicio said.
The campus transformation includes eight projects and is expected to cost a total of up to $25 million. The university has already identified funding for the Hawthorne Street and Wiggins Road projects. UTEP will generate funds for the remaining campus transformation projects through fundraising efforts tied to UTEP’s $200 million Centennial Campaign.
For renderings of each of the projects, visit campus.utep.edu.
