Campus Master Plan Update, May 2023 Texas A&M International University
Dear TAMIU Community Member, I am pleased to present our Master Plan 2023, a vital tool to help guide the growth of Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) 300-acre campus for years to come. Great universities are the result of careful, deliberative planning. Dedicating our resources to creating a Master Plan affirms the importance of a unifying vision guiding future buildings, land use, and infrastructure changes needed to reach goals, adapt to change, and align with our overarching Strategic Plan objectives and our cherished Mission. Simply put, regularly creating or updating a campus Master Plan is a smart thing to do. It helps ensure that the caliber and delivery of our programs and services emanate from a campus optimized for this. Project partner Perkins&Will have provided integrated services including planning, architecture, engineering, landscape design, and cost consulting. The resulting Master Plan’s data-informed inputs include existing conditions analysis, space utilization and benchmarking, enrollment statistics, and facility condition assessment. As such, it offers a holistic set of future improvement recommendations for land use and building renovation/ demolition/ new construction. Landscape design, infrastructure, transportation, and parking solutions have also been considered and created. As this Master Plan will inform our future capital plans, project descriptions, prioritization, phasing, and budgeting are included as essential elements. With two new campus construction projects ahead, the new Health Sciences Education and Research Center and the Western Hemispheric Trade Center expansion, TAMIU’s dynamic growth continues. We’re excited to share this Master Plan for TAMIU with you. My thanks to all involved in the Plan’s creation and completion. It provides a powerful opportunity to look into our shared future and see how we can and will continue to “Go Beyond”. To find out more and view the Master Plan online, please visit go.tamiu.edu./masterplan Sincerely yours, Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D. President
4 Acknowledgments Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President Dr. Thomas R. Mitchell, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mr. Juan J. Castillo, Vice President for Finance and Administration Ms. Rosanne Palacios, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Mr. Juan G. Garcia, Interim Vice President of Student Success Mr. Steve K. Harmon, Director, Public Relations, Media, and Information Services Mr. Gilbert Zimmerman, Director of Athletics Perkins and Will, Lead Campus Planner Nelson/Nygaard, Parking and Mobility Shah Smith & Associates, MEP Engineering Martinez Moore, Civil Engineering Coleman & Associates, Landscape Sunland, Cost Estimating Mr. Juan J. Castillo, Vice President for Finance and Administration Mr. Trevor Liddle, Senior Director, Campus Safety & Planning Vice Presidents Council Campus Planning Consultants University Campus Plan Leads TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Overview 2 Analysis & Observations 3 Campus Plan 4 Appendices 1 10 22 60
Overview 1
4 Texas A&M International University TAMIU Laredo International Airport Downtown Laredo Nuevo Laredo I-35 Mexico USA 1 - OVERVIEW Introduction Texas A&M International University is situated in the northeastern portion of Laredo, about 10 miles from Downtown and the busiest overland port of entry into the United States from Mexico. The university’s location in the south Texas borderland region is one element that makes TAMIU unique among its peers. The institution has grown rapidly over its relatively short history, having just recently celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its founding. Accordingly, the TAMIU continues to play a critical educational, civic, and economic role within the Laredo community and region. The Scope of this Plan This planning effort was undertaken to look comprehensively at the existing and future needs for Texas A&M International University, set a vision for a long term future of the university from a physical standpoint. The plan considers academic, research, student life, athletics, recreation, housing, and support needs, looking at the facilities, infrastructure, transportation, and landscape systems that facilitate the mission of the university. The plan seeks to create both a “blue sky” vision for the future of campus and implementable near term projects that can have a more immediate impact. TAMIU Campus Location Diagram Introduction
Campus Master Plan Update 5 1 - OVERVIEW
6 Texas A&M International University 1 - OVERVIEW Campus Evolution From Concept to Campus Texas A&M University was established by the Texas State Legislature in 1969 (originally known as Texas A&I University at Laredo and later Laredo State Univeristy), and shared space with Laredo Junior College for its first two plus decades. Beginning in with the completion of the original campus master plan in 1992 and the donation of 300 acres of land by the Killam family shortly thereafter, Texas A&M International University took its first steps to establish a new and permanent campus on the northeast edge of Laredo. The original plan for the campus was laid out along a north-south pedestrian axis with buildings closely framing building plazas, courtyards, and one larger quad, surrounded by a ring road and parking. Beginning with Killam Library, the campus plan has hewed to this original concept with a high degree of fidelity, earliest and northernmost buildings which frame the main and most formal quad in particular. Moving further south and later in the development of campus, the original form of the campus plan becomes somewhat looser, but continues the north-south axis which forms the backbone of the campus. The newest buildings, the Academic Innovation Center (AIC) and University Police Department expand on the east west spine that further draws out the cruciform shape shown in the original plan. Over the first 30 years of the TAMIU campus, an extraordinary amount of development has taken place, growing to its current size of 24 buildings and approximately 1.2 million square feet of total space. The original campus plan vision has largely been realized and built out as it was first intended. This plan, therefore, seeks to establish a new vision for the next thirty years and perhaps beyond, to imagine what the TAMIU campus may be a full generation or more into the future. Original Campus Plan, early 1990s
Campus Master Plan Update 7 1 - OVERVIEW 1995 2010 2002 2017 2005 2020 Twenty-five Years of Campus Development (1995-2020), Images Google Earth
8 Texas A&M International University 1 - OVERVIEW Campus Plan Process Beginning in the fall of 2021 and coming to a conclusion in March of 2023, the campus plan process spanned 18 months and involved a large number of faculty, staff, and students from the university as well as outside alumni, partners, and community members. The process was structured into five phases: Initiate, Discover, Ideate, Develop, and Formulate. This process is structured to gather information about the campus and where it is heading, develop a series of big ideas to test with the campus stakeholders, and ultimately arrive at a preferred development concept for the near, mid, and long term futre of the campus. Each phase of the process involved an oncampus workshop, which included meetings with Executive and Vice Presidents Councils, focus group / user meetings (i.e. athletics, student life, facilities), and engagement opportunities for students, faculty and staff. Several open houses were held at different phases of the process for these members of the TAMIU community to gather input on what was important to the campus plan, share progress on the plan itself, and get feedback on the plan’s development. Highlights of this process included a student engagement session with pizza in the STC courtyard with visual preference boards, a special alumni dinner hosted on campus, and spending a saturday morning and afternoon at “Discover TAMIU,” a community open house showcasing many offerings of the university, of which the plan itself was only a small part.
Campus Master Plan Update 9 Create spaces and places that reinforce campus community and culture: • Indoor/Outdoor Spaces • Collaboration & Gathering • Celebrating & Enhancing Identity • Build Campus Life • Recruitment and Retention • New Paradigms for Teaching & Research • Support Economic Mobility • S.T.E.A.M. • Celebrate Natural Beauty • Habitat & Ecosystem Stewardship • Reduce Environmental Impacts Enhance learning & discovery: Celebrate the natural environment: 3 1 - OVERVIEW Guiding Principles 1 2 P
Analysis & Observations 2
12 Texas A&M International University 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Academics TAMIU offers over 95 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across its five colleges - the A. R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and University College - as well as the Graduate School. The A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business offerings are highly regarded, with the school offering undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing. The College of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as bilingual education, curriculum and instruction, educational administration, and counseling psychology. The college also offers certification programs for teachers and other education professionals. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. The college also offers certificate programs in areas such as forensic nursing and school nursing. The College of Arts and Sciences offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as biology, chemistry, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, and communication. The University College is designed for students who are undecided about their major or who are exploring different academic disciplines. The college offers a range of courses and resources to help students discover their academic interests and develop the skills they need to succeed in college. Athletics TAMIU competes in the Lone Star Conference at the NCAA Division II Athletics level. Sports include Men’s and Womens Basketball, Cross Country, Golf and Soccer; Men’s Baseball; Women’s Softball and Volleyball; as well as Cheerleading and Dance Teams. Indoor teams are housed in the KCB, while outdoor sports utilize the complex at the southeastern portion of campus, trails on the eastern portion of campus, and local golf courses for cross country and golf events. Residential & Student Life There are currently two residential communities on campus: University Village Apartments and the Residential Learning Community. Both facilities offer a mix of housing unit types, as well as a clubhouse and pool. Student activities and organizations are housed in the Student Center, with along with TAMIU at a Glance Building Legend AIC - Academic Innovation Center KLM - Sue & Radcliffe Killam Library CWT - Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall BLK - Bob Bullock Hall WHT - Western Hemispheric Trade Center PLG - Anthony J. & Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall CNS - Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall LBV -Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center PLA - Lamar Bruni Vergarag STC - Student Center KCB - Kinesiology Convocation Building H - Physical Plant FPA - Center for the Fine & Performing Arts ECHS - Early College High School ZSC - Zaffrini Success Center REC - Kinesiology, Wellness & Recreation Center RLC - Residential Learning Community UPD - University Police Department UVIL - University Village JHBF - Jorge Haynes Baseball Field Dusty’s Diner cafeteria and several local and franchise restaurants within the building as well. The university takes pride in its culture and hosts numerous events to celebrate its diverse student population including cultural fairs, festivals, and performances, providing students with an opportunity to learn about and celebrate different cultures.
UVIL UPD WHT KLM CWT PLG BLK CNS LBV AIC RLC JBHF ZSC REC KCB STC FPA ECHS H H
14 Texas A&M International University 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Geographic Disposition Demographic Composition Where do Students Come From? Webb Maverick Zapata Bexar Starr Hidalgo Harris 82% 2.2% 1.8% 1.7% 1.6% 1.5% 1.4% Hispanic White Asian / Pacific Islander International American Indian Black Unknown 1st Gen Enrollment Undergraduate = 53% *first generation freshmen Graduate = 48% Doctorate = 17.6%
Campus Master Plan Update 15 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Fall Year Headcount Historic 2010 6,853 2011 7,037 2012 7,213 2013 7,431 2014 7,554 2015 7,192 2016 7,390 2017 7,640 2018 7,884 2019 8,305 2020 8,270 2021 8,145 Projected 2022 8,308 2023 - 2024 - 2025 8,816 2026 - 2027 - 2028 - 2029 - 2030 9,734 2031 - 2032 - 2033 - 2034 - 2035 10,747 TAMIU Enrollment Projections The Campus Plan assumes a 2% annual growth trajectory. Looking out to 2035, this translates to nearly 11,000 students (headcount enrollment). Historic Projected Enrollment For most of the past decade, TAMIU has seen steady growth, growing from a student body of around 7,000 fall semester headcount enrollment in 2011 to a local high point of approximately 8,300 in 2019. This population has leveled off and slightly declined in the past few years, hovering just above 8,000. The COVID-19 pandemic may have had impacts on this leveling off, along with other factors. TAMIU has a unique student body in several respects. First, the student body is made up overwhelmingly of hispanic students, with 93% coming from this demographic. Over 60% of the student body is also first-generation college students. Additionally, TAMIU is comprised of students geographically concentrated around Laredo, with roughly 82% of students coming from within Webb County, and smaller shares to neighboring counties in south Texas. This last point creates a unique challenge for the instuitution. as future forecasts from the Texas State Demographer show leveling or declining trajectory for the college-aged cohort in the coming decades. As the state overall continues to grow, the university may need to expand its recruitment strategy to reach further into other population centers such as San Antonio to meet future enrollment targets.
16 Texas A&M International University 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Topography Flooding/ Drainage Legend Entries Gateways Landmarks Flood Hazard Area Drains to Lake Casa Blanca The TAMIU campus enjoys a relatively level site, with a number of smaller runnels or draws that create the more dramatic topographic changes on the campus. Notably, the dropoff to the east of the RLC and Tennis Complex that forms the eastern edge of development currently, and separates the campus from the eastern portion of undeveloped property presents the primary natural physical site challenge. The campus is framed by two main drainage challenge that flow southeast and into to Lake Casa Blanca. The southern channel also contains designated FEMA 100-year floodplain which overlaps the south loop road and several parking facilities. contours
Campus Master Plan Update 17 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Natural Landscape & Habitat Environmental Factors The semi-arid and warm south Texas climate has a major impact on the existing and proposed design of the TAMIU campus and its facilities. Mild temperatures in the winter make for very pleasant outdoor spaces, while heat and sun in the other months can severely limit the usability of these very same spaces. and climate change only promises to make these challenges more dramatic in the future. Shade, plant selection, building articulation and facade design and other strategies can all have substantial impacts on human comfort, usability of outdoor spaces, energy and water use and more. Formal Landscape Landscape Types The TAMIU campus has several main types of landscape present. Within the main developed portions of campus the landscape could be desribed as “formal” with highly structured spaces defined by buildings, hardscape, turfgrass, and rows of tree plantings. As you move away from the core there are other areas that could be desribed as “informal” which may be mowed or otherwise maintained but are not as heavily designed or defined. Finally, other areas beyond the developed portion of campus might be described as “natural,” with only dirt roads or trails within the eastern portion of the TAMIU property. Informal Landscape
18 Texas A&M International University 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Campus Organization The TAMIU campus is characterized by several main zones of activty. The heart of the academic core is situated in the northern half of campus, surrounding the original quad. As you move to the southern half of the campus, the uses transition to more student life functions, though FPA and KCB house academic uses as well. Student housing is situated at the east and west poles of the campus, while athletics and recreation flanks the southeastern northeastern corners. Support buildings, including UPD and the physical and central plant facililities are situated toward the edges of the main core of the campus. Entries, Gateways, and Landmarks Campus Use Zones The TAMIU campus has a number of entries, gateways, and landmarks that help to define the campus experience and help with orientation and navigation of the campus. Arriving by vehicle, there is an entrance directly into campus off Bob Bullock Loop, and two more off of University Boulevard at the north. Each entrance signals arrival with monument signage and landscape treatment. Within the campus there are a number of additional gateways or thresholds that continue this arrival sequence, sometimes at the transition from one space to another. Within the campus itself, there are a number of landmark pieces of architecture (such as the planetarium pyramid, Trailblazer Tower, and the hemisphere in the front of KLM) and views that are established to give a clear orientation to campus users.
Campus Master Plan Update 19 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Academic Student Life Support Residential Existing Building Character and Typologies
20 Texas A&M International University 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Pedestrian Conditions - Campus Interior Pedestrian Conditions - Campus Perimeter Pedestrian Network The TAMIU campus has a strong pedestrian core comprised a network of primary, secondary and tertiary pedestrian pathways. These range from the central spine northsouth spine, to a network of connecting pedestrian malls and finally more functional sidewalks as one moves outward from the campus core. The great strength of this element of the design is that it fully excludes vehicles from the campus core, creating a pleasant and safe experience for of the campus. While the majority of people arrive by car to campus, once they have parked and left their vehicle behind, the entire campus is very accessible by a short and enjoyable walk or roll. While the campus core is highly pedestrianized, as one moves ouward the pedestrian network is less connected and lacks basic amenities such as sidewalks along University Boulevard. Large surface parking lots and more limited amenities, such as lighting and trees, reduce the walkability of the campus. As a result, parking lots at the edge, although within a short walk, are underutilized and affiliates complain about the lack of front-door parking access. The surrounding roadway infrastructure (Bob Bullock Loop) creates a high-stress and uncomfortable environment for walking. The 2020 Active Transportation Plan identified “feeling unsafe” as the primary reason Laredo residents do not travel by active transportation. At TAMIU, this sentiment is compounded by the extremely limited street connectivity in the residential neighborhoods of nearby North Laredo, where much of the affiliate population lives. Wide roads with limited built frontage tend to make walking distances feel much bigger than they are. Especially in an area with wide roads and high-speed traffic between the Bob Bullock Loop and University Boulevard, TAMIU’s pedestrian network exhibits strong internal connections but very poor external connectivity.
Campus Master Plan Update 21 Bicycle Facility along Bob Bullock Loop Cycling El Metro stopping on Campus in front of STC El Metro is the primary public transit provider in the region. Route 16 provides direct connectivity between downtown Laredo and the TAMIU campus via Del Mar Boulevard (Figure 9). Route 16 operates at 90-minute headways on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9:10 p.m., 75 minutes on Saturdays between 7 a.m. to 6:55 p.m., and every 60 minutes on Sundays from 12 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Based on 2019 ridership data, Route 16 had the 5th highest ridership in El Metro’s system with 159,590 boardings across the route. Transit A standard adult fare is $2.00, while student fares are $1.50. A monthly pass is $120, while student semester passes ranges from $250- $280. Schedules, route maps, and real-time information is available via the El Metro smartphone app. Route 16 stops at three locations on campus: the Student Center, the eastern Residential Learning Community housing complex, and University Village housing complex to the west. Stops lack adequate passenger amenities such as shelters or schedule information. A single bench under a small canopy is available off to one side of the Student Center stop. 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS A New Bicycle Maintenance Station on Campus The closest bicycle facility to TAMIU is located along Loop 20, which is a 3.73-mile shared use, off-street bikeway. As part of the Bob Bullock Loop upgrade, a separated bikeway will be built parallel to the highway and be extended farther south to close a key bicycle network gap (Figure 10). However, the highway expansion project may create more challenging crossing conditions and increase the number of conflict points between pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles. An on-street bicycle lane on University Boulevard has been identified in the Laredo and Webb County MPO 2020 Active Transportation Plan as a future project, slated for design and implementation in the next 20 years. TAMIU allows bicycling on its campus grounds but has no on-street bicycle lanes or dedicated facilities. The compact size and flat topography of the campus provide strong conditions for biking on campus. The lack of high visibility crossings and expansive parking lots, however, can create stressful conditions. TAMIU has numerous bicycle racks located outside its buildings, and in 2021 unveiled a new bicycle repair and air station by the Kinesiology, Wellness, and Recreation Center. TAMIU Recreational Sports hosts multiple bike rides each month to trails across the county. Ridership analysis conducted by the Laredo and Webb County MPO revealed 830 bicycle boardings on El Metro Route 16 in 2019, averaging 17 boardings on a weekly basis. This suggests that some transit commuters carry their bicycles with them from home to campus.
22 Texas A&M International University Overall, the exisitng parking on campus is well-used but there is additional availability within the system. Close-in parking lots may achieve near full capacity at peak times, but more remote lots often have plenty of space available. In Fall 2022, the West Gated, East Student, Student Center/Fine Arts, West Student, and Physical Plant lots experience the highest peak hour occupancies at 99-100%. TAMIU has 13 parking lots arranged peripherally around the exterior of the campus core, with and additional on-street parking along the University Boulevard loop road. Two of the parking lots are designated for university housing residents. while the others support student, faculty and staff, and visitor daily parking. As of Fall 2022, TAMIU had a total of 3,346 parking spaces on campus. Aside from a limited number of “reserved” spaces, parking on campus is free, and operates on a “first-come, firstserve” policy. This high level of demand corresponds to their proximity to main campus buildings and the campus core. By contrast, the lots farther from the core were only 3-38% full. On-street parking along University Boulevard loop road was about 25% occupied at peak. Appendix C contains a more detailed look at parking data and future need. 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS Parking Provision Parking Utilization
Campus Master Plan Update 23 2 - ANALYSIS & OBSERVATIONS
Campus Plan 3
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
28 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Design Strategies Reinforce Re-Orient As noted previously, the original vision of the original campus plan has largely been realized with development to date already beginning to push beyond that original framework. During the “Ideate” phase of the planning process, the design team explored a number of different infill and expansion strategies, ultimately landing on a hybrid of two overall concepts: “Reinforce” which targets projects to build on and strengthen the existing campus framework, and “Re-Orient” which envisions expansion of a new east quad, residential village, and athletics and recreation complex beyond. This vision moves beyond the campus core, filling a gap to connect the RLC, bridging the loop road, and extending into fully undeveloped portions of the property east of the arroyo that bounds the Tennis Center and RLC today. The combination of these two strategies defines the approach to campus development over the next twenty-five year horizon for TAMIU.
Campus Master Plan Update 29 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Building Legend A - Health Sciences Building B - Nursing Building C - Business Addition D - Alumni Center F - Student Housing G,H - Academic Building I - FPA Expansion J - Student Housing K,L,M,N - Academic Building O - Student Life P,Q - Administration R - Arena S - Ball Fields UPD WHT KLM CWT PLG BLK CNS LBV AIC RLC ZSC REC KCB STC FPA ECHS H H E D C A B P T I U O M N K L J R S Q H G F
30 Texas A&M International University NEW CONSTRUCTION Health Sciences Building (A) This new facility will house exisitng and expanded programs in the Health Sciences including Kinesiology, Communication disorders, and Public Health, with new classrooms, labs, and demonstration rooms. The building is planned, funded, and underway with architectural design at the time of writing, with an estimated gross square footage of roughtly 57,000. The building is intended to be sited on the east side of campus at the southwestern corner of the diagonally oriented Physical Plant Parking Lot. Western Hemisphere Trade (WHT) Expansion (C) The A.R. Sanchez School of Business will expand its space to accomodate business outreach programs, including the Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade, the Texas Center for Economic Development, and the Small Business Development Center, and will include classroom, student support, and faculty office spaces. It is intended to be cited on the open parcel west of and connecting to the existing WHT building. Nursing Building (B) The next new building need identified by the university is for a Nursing Building, which will complement the HSC and create a strong relationship for the health professions in their new location at the East Quad. Near-Term Projects KEY TYPE* NEW CONSTRUCTION FOOTPRINT FLOORS GSF (EST.) NOTES A AC Health Sciences Center 24,000 3 57,000 Partial third floorl shown B AC Nursing 22,400 3 67,200 C AC Business Addition 12,250 2 22,500 Two-story addition to WHT Subtotal 146,700 KEY TYPE* RENOVATION FOOTPRINT FLOORS GSF (EST.) NOTES D SL UVIL Clubhouse for Alumni Center 4,446 1 4,446 Future Alumni Center Subtotal 4,446 KEY TYPE* DEMOLITION FOOTPRINT FLOORS GSF (EST.) NOTES E RE University Village (4 buildings) 26,220 3 78,660 Subtotal 78,660 3 - CAMPUS PLAN *In terms of “TYPE”, AC - Academic, AR - Athletics / Recreation, RE - Residential, SL - Student Life, SP - Support Near-Term Plan
Campus Master Plan Update 31 KLM CNS UPD PLG WHT CWT BLK LBV AIC RLC ZSC REC KCB STC FPA ECHS H H E D C A B
32 Texas A&M International University DEMOLITION University Village Student Housing (UVIL) The UVIL student housing complex is nearing the end of its useful life and will be phased offline and then demolished in the near-term. The right-of-way for the conversion of Bob Bullock to an interstate highway will also intrude significantly on this site, limiting its desirability for residential use. RENOVATION University Village Clubhouse Renovation for Alumni Center (E) Once the UVIL housing buildings have been demolished, the existing clubhouse is anticipated to be retained and renovated for use as alumni center. The surrounding parking can be retained, while the remainder of the site can be repuposed as open space to complement the Alumni Center in the near term, or future uses yet to be determined. The greenspace between KCB and STC is transformed into “Student Commons”and “Arroyo Park” on either side of the north-south pedestrian spine. Killam Library (KLM) The Killam Library is a high priority for a significant renovation. The Univeristy has been working to “unpack” certain uses from the building in order to expand and enhance library and learning support programs, as well as other uses. A Program of Requirements was completed in 2016 which includes the intended renovation program as an appendix. Canseco Hall (CNS) With new facilities planned for Health Sciences and Nursing, many of the existing space uses in Canseco Hall may be decanted in the near term and renovation & repurposement of existing facilities can occur. During the functional condition assessment carried out by the planning team, Canseco Hall emerged as an academic building with significant need. While the uses were generally appropriate to the space and reasonably adequate for their purpose, the interior quality is lacking and in need of refurbishment. 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Near-Term Plan Health Science Center & Nursing Building WHT Addition Alumni Center Renovation Existing UVIL Clubhouse to be Renovated
Campus Master Plan Update 33
34 Texas A&M International University Mid-Term Projects KEY TYPE* NEW CONSTRUCTION FOOTPRINT FLOORS GSF (EST.) NOTES F RE/SL Student Housing 11,200 4 44,800 w/ dining hall and commons on the ground floor RE Student Housing 15,500 4 62,000 RE Student Housing 15,600 4 62,400 G AC Academic Building 30,500 3 91,500 H AC Academic Building 21,800 3 65,400 Subtotal 326,100 *Facility “TYPE”: AC - Academic, AR - Athletics / Recreation, RE - Residential, SL - Student Life, SP - Support 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Mid-Term Plan NEW CONSTRUCTION Studen Housing Buildings Several new student housing buildings are intended at the north end of the existing RLC. These buildings will replace the UVIL demolished in the previous phase, creating a center of energy for residential life on the east side of the campus, as opposed to two separate housing villages that have existed on campus to this point. There is also intended to be space for dining facilities reserved in the ground floor of the southernmost building of the three shown. Academic Buildings Two additional academic buildings are shown flanking the east side of the new East Quad, framing in this important open space. These buildings do not yet have specific academic uses targeted, but the programmatic needs will be identified by the campus in future years as it sees fit to serve its academic mission.
Campus Master Plan Update 35 WHT LBV STC H UPD KLM CWT PLG BLK CNS AIC RLC ZSC REC KCB FPA ECHS H H G F E D C A B
36 Texas A&M International University The new East Quad focing northwest, with Health Sciences Building and pavilion in the foreground and AIC and Trailblazer Tower in the distance. 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Mid-Term Plan RENOVATION Student Center (STC) Needs for this facility include additional student organization space Western Hemispheres Trade (WHT) Having been expanded in the near-term plan, WHT will have some light to moderate renovation needs in existing spaces. Particularly on the western wing of the second floor. Lamar Bruni Vergara Hall (LBV) LBV is a workhorse academic building with science labs New Student Housing north of and connecting to RLC Two new Academic Buildings frame the East Quad
Campus Master Plan Update 37
38 Texas A&M International University Long-Term Projects 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Long-Term Plan NEW CONSTRUCTION Fine & Performing Arts Expansion As a part of the programming for the Health Sciences Building and WHT expansion, the university also developed a program for the FPA expansion. Ultimately, there was not budget available for undertaking all three buildings and the FPA expansion was not carried forward, and was shelved for the future, and is now represented in the long term vision for the campus. Convocation Center / Arena The university has long been exploring the potential for a Convocation Center and Arena on campus that would provide space for events and athletics programs. Several locations were explored during the planning process, and ultimately the preference was to locate it on the undeveloped portion of the campus to the east to anchor a future Athletics and Recreation Complex. Athletics and Recreation Complex As the campus expands to the east, it will dispace the existing athletics and recreation fields. These facilities are intended to be relocated, expanded, and improved in a large complex on the far east side of the property. The plan indicates competition and practice facilities for Baseball, Softball, KEY TYPE* NEW CONSTRUCTION FOOTPRINT FLOORS GSF (EST.) NOTES I AC FPA Expansion 7,932/25,472 2/3 92,280 Draft Program completed in 2022 J RE Student Housing 12,768 4 51,072 RE Student Housing 10,447 4 41,788 K AC Academic Building 34,975 3 104,925 L AC Academic Building 28,900 4 115,600 M AC Academic Building 20,185 3 60,555 N AC Academic Building 32,889 3 98,667 O SL Student Life 20,500 2 41,000 P AC Administration 25,300 2 50,600 Q AC Administration 25,300 2 50,600 R AR Convocation and Event Center 57,100 1.25 71,375 S AR Athletics and Recreation Complex n/a n/a - Approximately 48 acres as drawn Subtotal 777,462 *In terms of “TYPE”, AC - Academic, AR - Athletics / Recreation, RE - Residential, SL - Student Life, SP - Support
Campus Master Plan Update 39 3 - CAMPUS PLAN RLC KCB FPA UPD WHT KLM CWT PLG BLK CNS LBV AIC ZSC REC STC ECHS H G F E D C A B P T I U O M N K L J R S Q H H
40 Texas A&M International University The full vision for the long-term expansion of the TAMIU Campus. 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Long-Term Plan Administration Buildings Academic Buildings Student Life Athletics and Recreation Complex Soccer, as well as a number of multipurpose fields for recreation purposes. Space for the cross country team who currently uses this undeveloped land should also be included in the ultimate design of this area. Academic Buildings Several additional academic buildings are indicated to finish out the East Quad in the long term. These buildings do not yet have specific uses intended for them, but will be determined at a later date. Student Housing Two additional student housing buildings are situated to the south of the exisging RLC. These two buildings would nicely complement the existing housing and fill out the student housing village and create a center of gravity for student living as the campus grows. Administration Buildings In keeping with the original 1992 campus plan, a matching pair of adminsitrative buildings has been situated flanking the the Killam Library. RENOVATION Kinesiology & Convocation Building Once the new Convocation & Event Center has been built, the existing KCB, which has been identified as a facility with a high need for renovation, can be renovated and repurposed as existing programs are decanted into the new facility. Other Renovations Several other facilities, including FPA, RLC, and perhaps others will be candidates for renovation in the long-term. 1 2 4 3
Campus Master Plan Update 41 1 2 4 3
42 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Landscape Fabric 1 1 2 4 4 2 4 3 3 5 5 Student Commons Arroyo Park Performing Arts Plaza East-West Pedestrian Spines & Extensions New East Quad & Pavilion
Campus Master Plan Update 43 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Landscape Fabric Formal Quad Informal Landsape Public Plaza Pedestrian Mall Trail The campus landscape fabric weaves together a number of different space types, ranging from open, formal lawns and public plazas, to vegetated landscape areas and multiuse trails. The variety and scale of spaces is important to complement different building uses and create a range of experiences across the campus and support a greater diversity of activities. The TAMIU campus currently has a number of spaces that express the traditional qualities of a campus visually, but has room to expand the types of spaces that are sticky to students, can be transformed to different purposes, and suit different needs on a day-to-day basis, from individual study and outdoor class meetings to festivals and events.
44 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN There is presently a large open space on the east side of the Student Center, containing an formal garden and a large swath of lawn planted with live oaks as the predominatnt species. The plan seeks to reimagine and rejuvenate this space as a vibrant student commons space. Landscape improvements, both plantings and hardscape, will increase access to outdoor gathering spaces and create an activated and welcoming Student Center front door. This area is imagined as an outdoor space that students “own,” and the looser nature of the design intent for this area should lend itself to a less formal space where as a place to study, relax, and gather. Student Commons
Campus Master Plan Update 45 3 - CAMPUS PLAN
PLG CNS STC FPA REC KCB 46 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN The renovated commons area will create two different spaces: the north commons, and the south commons, divided by a pedestrian walk into two spaces with different characteristics– each rectangular features running north/ south. The first new space, the north commons, will be a flexible, informal plaza to create a place for informal gatherings or studying. Comfort and scale will be created with plentiful shade created by a new grove of shade trees and accented by blooming ornamental trees and shrub plantings. The second space, the south commons, has a rectangular area of gravel with café/ moveable seating and protected from the elements by generous shade sails. A unified planting scheme will reinforce the relationship between the north and south commons spaces. All of these landscape improvements will preserve the existing visual access between the Student Center and adjacent Kinesiology & Convocation buildings. EXISTING Student Commons (continued)
Campus Master Plan Update 47 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Shade Sails Lighting Gravel Area for Outdoor Seating Lawn Xeriscape & Rain Garden Movable Furniture Existing Trees to Remain Existing Student Center Building Lawn FUTURE STUDENT COMMONS
PLG CNS STC FPA REC KCB 48 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Arroyo Park The landscape space on the west side of the Kinesiology & Convocation building will provide much-needed drainage improvements creatively solved with a proposed Arroyo Park. This park will be a landscape solution to an engineering challenge– graded to improve existing drainage from surrounding areas and conveyed into a native plant bioswale running north to south. Plant selection for the swale should include native plants that provide biofiltration and naturally exist in riparian areas without supplemental irrigation. A decomposed granite pedestrian trail will run parallel and across this arroyo, as an alternate park-like route for pedestrians. Additional landscape enhancements in this park include seating nodes, comfortable furnishings, and a biophilic nature experience– water, plants, stones, and paths. Arroyo Park EXISTING
Campus Master Plan Update 49 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Additional Trees to be Added Gabion Walls Decks Water Feature & Stromwater Management Xeriscape Movable Furniture Stabilized Decomposed Granite Path Existing Trees to Remain Movable Furniture FUTURE ARROYO PARK
PLG CNS STC KCB WHT LBV AIC 50 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Pedestrian Spines & Extensions The improved east/west promenade traversing the campus from West Loop to East Loop south from UPD to RLC, will stitch together many existing and new campus facilities. This promenade will provide a muchneeded east/west artery on campus. The new promenade should be wide enough to provide generous circulation for multiple pedestrians moving in both directions. Additionally, this promenade can be utilized for life/safety purposes by incorporating bollards, campus emergency phones, shaded nooks, and charging stations. In addition to pedestrian traffic, this new promenade should accommodate bikes, golf carts, and utility vehicles utilized for commuting to class, campus tours, or for maintaining and accessing multiple points on campus. This significant path should be articulated with pavers, lighting, and site furnishings to complement the significance of this major campus mover. This spine will incorporate activity and seating nodes at intentionally-located intervals along the path or and complement gathering areas or plazas adjacent to buildings.
Fine & Performing Arts Plaza The new campus master plan landscape improvements also features a new cultural node for the areas adjacent to the new Fine Arts Addition. Existing underground utilities will need to be relocated as part of the new construction. Programming and planning for this building will include plans for an outdoor space to support the creative programs and education of the Fine Arts curriculum. This unique campus asset will feature an outdoor plaza to support performances in a comfortable space between two structures; thus, providing shade and great acoustic opportunities. Lighting, supplemental shade with shade sails, or a substantial trellis element will enhance the experience for both performers and visitors. This Performing Arts plaza can also be designed to function as an amphitheater for graduation, student meetings, and other department, program, or university gatherings. New lawn spaces located between the radial pathways on the south end of the Fine Arts Addition provide both flexible outdoor spaces for everyday use and an opportunity for art installations. Vibrant plantings and ornamental trees will enhance these park-like reflective and quiet spaces. Pedestrian circulation will be constructed from special paving and/or decomposed granite to reinforce the pastoral feel of this pedestrian node. KCB FPA ADD REC FPA ZSC STC Campus Master Plan Update 51 3 - CAMPUS PLAN FINE & PERFORMING ARTS PLAZA
52 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN The “East Quad” will reimagines and dramatically transforms the southeastern portion of campus within the loop road. This significant new phase of future buildings for academics and student life on the east side of campus represents a clean slate opportunity for a new signature open space for the campus, and to create a network of unified network of complementary landscape and circulation elements to unify this area with the existing campus core. Circulation and connectivity to the existing campus and within these new phases should be thoroughly considered to ensure appropriate sidewalk locations, widths, materials, and overall safety. Special attention to street crossings (often invisible to distracted students and drivers) should be considered with either traffic sign controls, raised crossings, blinking light indicators, bollards, or a combination of all. The implementation of the East Quad should consider green infrastructure solutions like rain gardens, bioswales, and biofiltration strips to complement the nature and character of the surrounding native landscape (i.e., Arroyo Park). New East Quad EXISTING The Physical Plant Parking Lot to the south of AIC will be transformed into an open space flanked by new academic buildings in the near term, with much future development to follow moving beyond into the current sites of athletics and recreation fields
Campus Master Plan Update 53 3 - CAMPUS PLAN FUTURE EAST QUAD
54 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN The signature open space is oriented northsouth on axis with the existing Tralblazer Tower on the south facade of the AIC. This landmark frames a view through a new signature pavilion in the center of the open space, creating a flexible shaded space for seating, gathering, and events. In addition to this major feature, outdoor shade structures such as pavilions, trellises, and shade sails, should be implementedas part of the development process rather than simply as independent projects. This strategy ensures that every new construction project for a new building includes an investment in outdoor amenity infrastructure. With the adjacent construction of a residence halls and a new athletic complex to the west, connectivity from the existing campus and the new East Quad should be thoughtfully planned. These new connections can promote the use of bicycles and walk/jog trails; all contributing to a sense of community and commune with nature. Lighting, shade, access to water, and emergency phones should all be considered along these new connectors. Plentiful and aesthetically pleasing signage and way-finding will be helpful to new students and visitors; especially in this new campus area. There may even be an opportunity to feature signage that celebrates and educates everyone on the natural environment and beauty of the landscape encompassing this campus. New tree plantings in this quad should be 4” caliper trees (minimum). When possible, a few trees in open spaces should have a bigger caliper size, to give this new campus area a running start to creating a dense tree canopy as quickly as possible. AIC HSC NUR New East Quad (continued)
Campus Master Plan Update 55 3 - CAMPUS PLAN Pavilion Building Arcade Outdoor Seating Lighting Health Sciences Building Outdoor Stage FUTURE EAST QUAD AND PAVILION
56 Texas A&M International University 3 - CAMPUS PLAN A Glimpse of the Future of TAMIU: Existing Taken from the northwest, the image on this page captures the TAMIU campus not long before the master planning process commenced. Bob Bullock Loop is in the foreground, while the tennis complex (under construction) and RLC housing form the westernmost edge of development. Long-Term Vision From the same vantage point on the opposite page we see a vision for the TAMIU campus several decades into the future. Bob Bullock Loop has become Interstate-69, and the campus has grown with a combination of infill and eastward expansion. The new boundary of development formed by the athletics and recreation complex has pushed all the way to the western property line. EXISTING FUTURE
Campus Master Plan Update 57 3 - CAMPUS PLAN
Appendices APPENDICES A: Parking & Mobility B: Landscape Guidelines C: Utility Infrastructure Plan Mechanical Electrical Civil D: Cost Estimates CONTENTS
PARKING & MOBILITY A
EXISTING CONDITIONS Travel Patterns Most Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) affiliates live close to campus. Data provided by TAMIU on affiliate home ZIP codes in Fall 2021 indicates that 93% of students and 95% of faculty and staff live within the five closest ZIP codes to campus (Figure 1). The greatest share of affiliates live in the 78045 ZIP code, which has a travel shed of about 1-30 miles. 62 Texas A&M International University A/ APPENDIX PARKING & MOBILITY
Certain spaces are designated as “reserved” in the East Gated and half of the West Gated parking lots. Reserved permits cost $100 for the full year ($45 for one term) or $40 for motorcycle spaces ($17 for one term). Parking Inventory TAMIU has 13 parking lots and additional on-street parking along University Boulevard loop road (Figure 2). Two of the parking lots are designated for university housing residents. while the others support student, faculty and staff, and visitor daily parking. As of Fall 2022, TAMIU has a total of 3,346 parking spaces on campus. Aside from a limited number of “reserved” spaces, parking on campus is free, and operates on a “first-come, first-serve” policy. Figure 2 Parking Inventory, Fall 2022 63 Campus Master Plan Update 63 A/ APPENDIX
Occupancy TAMIU conducts parking occupancy counts each semester. In Fall 2022, parking occupancy peaked at 12 p.m. at 74% across the whole campus. Even at its busiest, and accounting for a 5% buffer, the campus has an average of 300-350 available spaces (Figure 3). Fall 2022 findings are consistent with data collected since 2017, which reveals that TAMIU supply has exceeded demand since 2018. Parking occupancy dropped substantially during the Covid-19 pandemic, has since rebounded, but still is lower than in 2017. In Fall 2022, the West Gated, East Student, Student Center/ Fine Arts, West Student, and Physical Plant lots experience the highest peak hour occupancies at 99-100% (Figure 4). This high level of demand corresponds to their proximity to main campus buildings and the campus core. By contrast, the lots farther from the core were only 3-38% full. On-street parking along University Boulevard loop road was about 25% occupied at peak. Figure 4 Peak Parking Occupancy, Fall 2022 Figure 3 Average Peak Parking Occupancy, by Year * Excludes Fall 2020 data 64 Texas A&M International University A/ APPENDIX
Future Parking A parking demand model was utilized to estimate the need for new parking spaces in the next ten years based on the Master Plan. The basic methods for estimating parking demand and right-sizing future parking build include: 1. Project campus population growth by year based on the existing population and a 2% annual growth rate. The assumptions include a constant factor of 2% of affiliates being “online” and not coming to campus on the average day. 2. Calculate the TAMIU parking demand ratio (spaces per oncampus user) based on observed parking data. As shown in Figure 5, the parking demand ratio has declined since Fall 2017. For future demand analysis, a ratio of .29 was assumed, which is comparable to national guidelines for similar suburban/rural universities. 3. Estimate parking demand by year based on population growth and demand ratio. A 3% reduction in parking demand was assumed (beginning in 2028) to account for improved Figure 5 TAMIU Parking Supply and Demand Ratios, by Year mobility services and parking management. The analysis also accounts for new parking demand from the proposed Athletics Complex and events center. 4. Estimate net losses of parking supply by phase of the master plan (Figure 7). 5. Calculate surplus or deficit of parking by year, accounting for a 5% buffer. 6. Right-size number of spaces for each proposed facility (Lots 1-7 in the Master Plan). Key findings of the parking analysis include: • Even with loss of the Physical Plant lot in the near-term, it is estimated that TAMIU will have adequate supply to accommodate near-term campus growth without adding more parking. • Doing nothing, however, is not an option. Without new supply in the next 10 years, the assumed campus growth and loss of existing parking due to planned development would result in a Figure 6 Parking Supply versus Demand, by Year Figure 7 Parking Supply, by Phase * Does not include spaces at joint development parking lot. ** Assumes 50% of on-street spaces along the University Boulevard loop are removed to facilitate safety and multimodal streetscape improvements. ^ Spaces by lot are estimated based on physical size of facility. Exact number of spaces may vary based on implementation needs. Data does not include Athletic Mud Lot and lots at UVIL and RLC parking deficit by 2028. • The preferred master plan concept assumes the construction of new parking supply. It is estimated that TAMIU will need approximately 1,400 gross new parking spaces, or net new 800 spaces, by full build out. Figure 6 shows the estimated demand relative to supply. Figure 7 shows the assumed loss and addition of parking by facility. • Enhanced parking management and improved walkability is crucial to making TAMIU a park-once campus and maximizing the utility of all its parking facilities. 65 Campus Master Plan Update 65 A/ APPENDIX Facility Current (2022) Near Term (2024-2027) Mid Term (2028-2032) Long Term (2033+) Physical Plant 294 128 - - West/South Loop 140 140 70** 70** East Road 229 229 115** 115** RLC 261 261 124 124 All other Lots 2,422 2,422 2,422 2,422 EXISTING SUB-TOTAL* 3,346 3,180 2,731 2,731 FUTURE PARKING FACILITIES^ Lot 3 - - 250 250 Lot 1 - - - 529 Lots 4-7 - - - 653 Lot 2 - 60 60 60 Lot 8 - - 120 120 Lot 9 - - 90 90 TOTAL PARKING SPACES* 3,346 3,240 3,251 4,433 DEMAND 2,620 2,900 3,200 3,800 Facility Current (2022) Near Term (2024-2027) Mid Term (2028-2032) Long Term (2033+) EXISTING PARKING 2,422 EXISTING PARKING (NET) 3,346 3,180 2,546 2,546 FUTURE PARKING FACILITIES* Lot 3 - - 250 250 Lot 1 - - - 529 Lots 4-7 - - - 653 Lot 2 - 60 60 60
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