Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

  • By Matt Jones
  • 02/26/26

Key Takeaways

  • The UT System Board of Regents approved $94.3 million to build the first facility of UTA West, a new 51-acre branch campus in far west Fort Worth set to open in fall 2028.
  • The project aims to support rapid regional population growth—particularly in Parker County, one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties—and address workforce needs in North Texas.
  • University leaders describe UTA West as a strategic investment that will expand access to a leading research university and drive long-term economic growth in the region.

The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028; the new building has an estimated cost of $94.3 million.

Local news reports that funding for infrastructure improvements like utilities, site preparation, and site parking was passed in November. The new campus will cover 51 acres.

“UTA West represents the kind of strategic investment that strengthens opportunity and economic growth in Texas,” said UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas, MD. “I know how important this project is to the Board of Regents and to the future of this fast-growing region. This funding moves UT Arlington closer to expanding access to a leading research university and helping meet the workforce needs of North Texas.”

The new campus development is a response to rapid population growth in Fort Worth and Parker County, according to the news release. The county’s population grew by 19.4% between 2020 and 2024, putting it at the third-fastest-growing county in the state.

“This investment marks a defining moment for our university and the region we proudly serve,” said UTA President Jennifer Cowley. “I am deeply grateful to our Board of Regents for their steadfast belief in what UTA West will mean for generations of students. Their meaningful support will help turn our big dream into a tangible reality.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • T&T Construction Management Group Completes Pasco High School Expansion

    Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla., recently announced that it has completed an expansion project in partnership with T&T Construction Management Group, Inc., Harvard Jolly Architecture, and Williams Company.

  • New City School

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Transforming New City School

    When New City School in St. Louis suffered catastrophic flood damage in July 2022, the event could have marked a serious setback for the 100-year-old institution. Instead, it became a forward-looking opportunity.

  • California K–12 District Completes Elementary School Campus Replacement

    The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) in Richmond, Calif., recently announced the completion of a replacement campus for Lake Elementary School, according to a news release. The school has capacity for 470 students between Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and sixth grade.

  • Different Starting Points, Same End Goal

    Higher education campuses can enhance student experience by implementing mobile credentials to streamline building access, on-campus payments, and access to other amenities. This enables students to connect to their campuses through the technology they use most: their mobile devices.