Walton Group of Companies donates 80 acres for proposed project
Special to The Flash
FORT WORTH—Tarleton State University today announced plans to build a campus in Fort Worth adjacent to the newly constructed Chisholm Trail Parkway at Old Granbury Road.
Tarleton will seek state funding for a building on the new campus during the upcoming legislative session and, if approved, will construct the facility on 80 acres of developable land donated by the Walton Group of Companies.
Tarleton will partner with the city of Fort Worth and the North Texas Tollway Authority, as well as the Walton Group, to make the project a reality.
The donation by Walton, a family-owned real estate development and investment group, will enable Tarleton to provide a permanent home for and expand its Fort Worth programs. The university, a member of The Texas A&M University System, will ask for $55 million in state funding this spring to construct a 125,000 square foot building on the site for classrooms, student services and administration.
Tarleton has provided classes in Fort Worth since 1978. Offering 48 undergraduate and graduate programs, Tarleton currently leases space in Fort Worth in the Hickman Building at 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd. and the Schaffer Building at 1501 Enderly Pl., and also offers classes at Weatherford College and online.
As the only public university offering bachelor’s degrees in Fort Worth, Tarleton has experienced 10-20 percent annual enrollment growth in recent years. Its medical laboratory sciences program is the largest and most prestigious in Texas.
“This is a banner day for providing advanced educational opportunities for the citizens of Fort Worth and Tarrant County,” said Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp. “The Texas empire was built on cattle, cotton, oil and gas but today we’re celebrating a new step in building Texas’ empire as we develop our human resources through education.”
Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio said that “we have long enjoyed a positive and beneficial association with Fort Worth and Tarrant County and we look forward to this opportunity to expand our service to the community as a premier student-focused university. We value our many partners, including Tarrant County College, Weatherford College and Hill College, in this venture.”
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said the city welcomes the prospect of Tarleton opening its own campus in the community and expanding its programs for upper-level and graduate students. “The city of Fort Worth and Tarleton State University are on parallel trajectories for growth and success and Tarleton’s presence will greatly enhance the career opportunities for our citizens.”
“The strategic location of the new Tarleton campus is a catalyst for development in Southwest Fort Worth and a tremendous benchmark for our future success in high quality education,” said Fort Worth Councilmember Jungus Jordan. “Tarleton State University is a true competitor academically providing both bachelor and graduate degree offerings that will catapult careers and enhance lives. This is a true win-win for Fort Worth and our citizens.”
“Walton is proud to support Tarleton’s new campus and we are confident that its presence will greatly enhance the local community while bringing even more jobs, economic development and educational opportunities to the booming Chisholm Trail Parkway growth corridor,” said Bill Doherty, CEO of the Walton Group of Companies. “The new Tarleton campus will be a part of one of Walton’s newest master plans in Tarrant County, and we look forward to continuing to work together to create a vibrant community where people live, work and play.”
Walton has more than 25,000 acres of land under administration and 18 master-planned communities throughout the state. It recently acquired two properties in Tarrant County—the 1,755 acre parcel where the new Tarleton State University campus will be located, and 268 acres in the Chisholm Trail Ranch Master Plan for the development of single-family residential homes. These two projects are located directly adjacent to one another.
To learn more about Tarleton State University visit www.tarleton.edu.
Tarleton State University, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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