Interlocal agreement supports UTA West development
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) continues its progress toward establishing UTA West with today’s approval by the city of Fort Worth to enter into an interlocal agreement that would help fund critical infrastructure development for the new campus at the western gateway of Fort Worth.
As part of the proposed agreement, Fort Worth would provide a total of $4 million from its Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF), with one payment of $2 million occurring after the formal execution of the interlocal agreement and the other $2 million serving as reimbursement after all infrastructure improvements have been completed.
“On behalf of The University of Texas at Arlington, we are very appreciative to the city of Fort Worth, Mayor Parker and City Council members for their support of UTA West,” said UTA President Jennifer Cowley. “UTA is a top supplier of talent to many companies across Fort Worth. UTA West expands our decades-long partnership with Fort Worth.”
Dr. Cowley also expanded upon the transformational benefits of regional collaboration. “Today’s announcement is another example of the public and private sectors working together to serve the communities in our region,” she said. “I want to thank the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership for its leadership and partnership on our plan to bring a new campus dedicated to fostering economic development and meeting the educational needs of one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.”
“The expansion of UTA Fort Worth into Parker County shows that not only is UTA growing and thriving, but so is Fort Worth,” said Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership. “At the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, we are proud to have helped make this possible. And we look forward to continuing to work with UTA as together we make Fort Worth a destination place for those seeking to learn, grow, and thrive.”
As part of the proposed agreement, UTA would commit to installing several public service utilities across the northern part of the campus. The University would also commit to constructing an inner campus road as well as lighting, frontage road approaches, and acceleration/deceleration lanes and to installing all franchise utilities. Additionally, UTA would commit to utilizing business equity firms for at least 15% of the total cost for all infrastructure improvements.
Advantageously positioned at the intersection of I-30 and I-20 at the western gateway of Fort Worth, the new campus is expected to begin welcoming students as early as fall 2028. UTA West will be developed as part of a multiyear plan to serve more than 10,000 students.
For more information about the new campus, visit UTA West.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the UT System. In 2021, UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributed to its reaffirmation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving-Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and in 2022 earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University ranks No. 2 nationally for veterans (Military Times, 2024), No. 3 in Texas for advancing social mobility (U.S. News & World Report, 2024), and No. 5 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2024). UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas.
Contact: Joe Carpenter, UTA Chief Communications Officer, 817-272-3210, joe.carpenter@uta.edu