Texas Christian University is planning to build a new fine arts building on the southwest corner of Cantey Street and Green Avenue.
The project is in its “very preliminary stages,” according to Holly Ellman, TCU’s associate director of strategic communications management.
The building will stand right behind the J. M. Moudy Visual Arts and Communication Building, with the front of the building facing the campus toward University Drive and the back of the building facing the neighborhoods behind it.
In anticipation of the project, the Fort Worth Zoning Commission unanimously approved zoning changes on Dec. 9 that would allow the facility to be built. The area previously had residential zoning, but the new zoning would allow for mixed-use development.
In November, about 50 residents from the area’s surrounding neighborhoods met with TCU officials to discuss the development. Residents from three neighborhood associations — University Place, University West and Frisco Heights — were present.
The residents were mostly supportive of the project, with the main concerns being aspects like construction noise and traffic in the construction area, said Keith Ashcraft, president of the University Place Neighborhood Association President.
“It was one of the more positive meetings,” he said. “There was not a whole lot of dissention.”
The architectural style of the new facility is meant to be similar to the design of the Moudy Building, which is white and gray in color and has a glass façade. Because the building is supposed to mimic the Moudy Building’s design, TCU requested some waivers to the zoning requirements. Some of those waivers include having the building’s main entry face the campus as opposed facing to the neighborhood and having fewer building entries for security reasons.
TCU is working with Fort Worth-based civil engineering firm Dunaway Associates for the project.
The university offered no further details regarding funding for the project or when construction would begin.