I think this is too big, and too important, to not have its own thread. There is a lot of detail already on the web site.
https://www.sfasu.edu/masterplan
https://www.sfasu.edu/masterplan
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Campus Master Plan 2024-2025
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Last: 17 days ago by wawwhite
I had a flashback moment when I saw that Freese and Nichols is the lead on this project. They are an engineering company headquartered in Fort Worth where my father worked for roughly 45 years. He was a civil engineer not long out of UT when he went to work there. After some years, he became a full partner in the firm. He officially retired at the age of 70 when he signed the papers, because it was best financially for his heirs, the day before he died of cancer. He didn't retire earlier because it was a rough period for engineering firms, and he simply couldn't leave at that time. There were many Saturdays in my youth that I went with him to their downtown office to hang out while he worked a half day. When they moved from the downtown office in 1968, I worked for them helping in the packing and moving process.
They have done work in East Texas, including the design and construction of Lake Nacogdoches and the water treatment plant there. I worked for their project manager doing odd jobs, the summer between my junior and senior years at SFA.
https://www.freese.com/
https://www.freese.com/freese-and-nichols-leaders-and-legacies-joe-paul-jones/
They have done work in East Texas, including the design and construction of Lake Nacogdoches and the water treatment plant there. I worked for their project manager doing odd jobs, the summer between my junior and senior years at SFA.
https://www.freese.com/
https://www.freese.com/freese-and-nichols-leaders-and-legacies-joe-paul-jones/
Here are a few of my initial ideas/thoughts but I am not sure if these belong on this forum.
1. SFA needs to expand the campus acreage. Any available property bordering the main campus needs to be purchased. Obtain nonadjacent land within Nacogdoches for a secondary campus for buildings that may not fit on the main academic campus.
2. Expand and add academic programs. A friend of mine stated she wished SFA had a Veterinary College. With the UT systems' backing, SFA could compete with A&M and Tech. It is lofty but not a bad idea.
1. SFA needs to expand the campus acreage. Any available property bordering the main campus needs to be purchased. Obtain nonadjacent land within Nacogdoches for a secondary campus for buildings that may not fit on the main academic campus.
2. Expand and add academic programs. A friend of mine stated she wished SFA had a Veterinary College. With the UT systems' backing, SFA could compete with A&M and Tech. It is lofty but not a bad idea.
Nice write-up about your dad 76.
Thanks.nacluth said:
Nice write-up about your dad 76.
The reason this process is going to take so long is that it is a first for SFA. SFA has never developed a long-term campus plan before. Previous decisions were usually based on short-term analysis only, to meet what were seen as immediate needs. It's a bit shocking to think about a campus going 100 years without any long-term space utilization plan, but that's just how SFA functioned: "We need a new building for X, where can we find enough space on the campus map to plug it in?" The UT system is imposing more a disciplined and strategic approach. They don't just want to know what a system campus will look like in 2-3 years. They want to know what the campus will look like in 20-25 years.
Every existing campus space must first be comprehensively evaluated. I know of multiple buildings (dorms and otherwise) on campus that are sitting vacant or nearly so, and decisions have to made about whether to renovate and use them again or tear them down and repurpose the space. The Campus Master plan will ultimately help guide such decisions.
Every existing campus space must first be comprehensively evaluated. I know of multiple buildings (dorms and otherwise) on campus that are sitting vacant or nearly so, and decisions have to made about whether to renovate and use them again or tear them down and repurpose the space. The Campus Master plan will ultimately help guide such decisions.
NacMan said:
The reason this process is going to take so long is that it is a first for SFA. SFA has never developed a long-term campus plan before. Previous decisions were usually based on short-term analysis only, to meet what were seen as immediate needs. It's a bit shocking to think about a campus going 100 years without any long-term space utilization plan, but that's just how SFA functioned: "We need a new building for X, where can we find enough space on the campus map to plug it in?" The UT system is imposing more a disciplined and strategic approach. They don't just want to know what a system campus will look like in 2-3 years. They want to know what the campus will look like in 20-25 years.
Every existing campus space must first be comprehensively evaluated. I know of multiple buildings (dorms and otherwise) on campus that are sitting vacant or nearly so, and decisions have to made about whether to renovate and use them again or tear them down and repurpose the space. The Campus Master plan will ultimately help guide such decisions.
Spot on. Thanks.
As I said before in another fourm where I posted it. Im glad they have made a website dedicated to the Master Plan. The thing that does kind of suck is we won't see a true master plan document until next October. I do hope we get some renders of the new forestry building soon. But right now it seems like a whole bunch of hey we got a plan but you won't hear any of it until a year from now.
SCH890 said:
As I said before in another fourm where I posted it. Im glad they have made a website dedicated to the Master Plan. The thing that does kind of suck is we won't see a true master plan document until next October. I do hope we get some renders of the new forestry building soon. But right now it seems like a whole bunch of hey we got a plan but you won't hear any of it until a year from now.
I tailgated a couple of weeks ago. The forestry building was open. Out front was a full set of renderings of the new building.
Summary: 4 stories. More than double the square footage. Agricultural Mechanics area. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
There were external and internal building renderings plus a set of 11x17 pages of floor plans. I think it's 60,000 square feet, but don't hold me to that.BigJack85 said:SCH890 said:
As I said before in another fourm where I posted it. Im glad they have made a website dedicated to the Master Plan. The thing that does kind of suck is we won't see a true master plan document until next October. I do hope we get some renders of the new forestry building soon. But right now it seems like a whole bunch of hey we got a plan but you won't hear any of it until a year from now.
I tailgated a couple of weeks ago. The forestry building was open. Out front was a full set of renderings of the new building.
Summary: 4 stories. More than double the square footage. Agricultural Mechanics area. Etc. Etc. Etc.
I will ask if they can get that posted somewhere as they have with the dining hall and did with the Fine Arts building. There may be a reason that they don't want it posted yet.
Oh beauitful wish I could have made it out but being Oregon.. Would have been tough obviously. I do hope they post those renderings some where. Thanks for letting me know!BigJack85 said:SCH890 said:
As I said before in another fourm where I posted it. Im glad they have made a website dedicated to the Master Plan. The thing that does kind of suck is we won't see a true master plan document until next October. I do hope we get some renders of the new forestry building soon. But right now it seems like a whole bunch of hey we got a plan but you won't hear any of it until a year from now.
I tailgated a couple of weeks ago. The forestry building was open. Out front was a full set of renderings of the new building.
Summary: 4 stories. More than double the square footage. Agricultural Mechanics area. Etc. Etc. Etc.
So beauitful. Back to the Modern Era of Forestry from Dr. Williams
Wow. Massive. I like the wood and glass theme our recent construction has been having. I wish we had a little less unfinished concrete on the new basketball facility, but I'm sure we had to cut costs somewhere.
College St. is turning into a nice drive.
College St. is turning into a nice drive.
Nice looking building renderings, which I think will look even nicer once it's up. Can't wait to see it.
Following the final approval for the Forestry building by the UT System BOR in their February meeting, the plan is to create a dedicated page for the project so people can view the renderings and monitor progress with the drone photos that the college is taking throughout. They are also working to set up a couple of cameras that show the construction site so people can view the progress at any time, from anywhere.
This is beauitful. Would love to have more Webcams across campus. Michigan Tech my graduate school does the same.SFAJack_76 said:
Following the final approval for the Forestry building by the UT System BOR in their February meeting, the plan is to create a dedicated page for the project so people can view the renderings and monitor progress with the drone photos that the college is taking throughout. They are also working to set up a couple of cameras that show the construction site so people can view the progress at any time, from anywhere.
https://www.mtu.edu/webcams/
All of it sounds like a great plan to monitor the progress. Im excited. Can't wait to tour it all.
Is this at a new location on campus or same spot as the current forestry building? I'm assuming once this is completed, the old building will be demolished.
Same spot as the existing building. Vacating the existing building is underway. Expect everyone, and everything, to be out in December. Demolition of the existing building is expected to start after final approval to decommission by the UT System BOR at their regular February meeting.wawwhite said:
Is this at a new location on campus or same spot as the current forestry building? I'm assuming once this is completed, the old building will be demolished.
Yes, Dr. Williams confirms that it'll start to be torn down in March after that meeting.SFAJack_76 said:Same spot as the existing building. Vacating the existing building is underway. Expect everyone, and everything, to be out in December. Demolition of the existing building is expected to start after final approval to decommission by the UT System BOR at their regular February meeting.wawwhite said:
Is this at a new location on campus or same spot as the current forestry building? I'm assuming once this is completed, the old building will be demolished.
Over the last week, consultants from NV5 visited campus to engage with groups representing students, faculty, and staff about the current state of technology at SFA as part of the ongoing Campus Master Plan process.
— Stephen F. Austin State University (@SFASU) February 17, 2025
You can follow along with the progress and status updates at:… pic.twitter.com/JzTmgKO7Xk
https://www.sfasu.edu/about-sfa/newsroom/2025/ut-system-approves-design-budget-new-sfa-forestry-and-agriculture-buildings
Sometimes, you CAN see the forest through the trees! Especially when it’s a brand-new Forestry Building nestled among our beautiful pines. Check out these artist renderings of the future home for our forestry and agriculture programs. #AxeEm #ICYMI #SFAForestry #SFAAgriculture… pic.twitter.com/4YZLm2CU0y
— Stephen F. Austin State University (@SFASU) April 2, 2025
I hope most will be finished by the winter. Plan is go to Nac then for an Xmas Break. Fingers Crossed.
Assuming you are referencing the Forestry building. If so, I hope you are talking the winter of '26/'27. This is a minimum of a two year project.SCH890 said:
I hope most will be finished by the winter. Plan is go to Nac then for a Xmas Break. Fingers Crossed.
Haha it will be in winter 2026. I may take a trip down. If its not super finished thats fine. Just getting the layout is enough. Currently searching for other employment so maybe more times to visit!SFAJack_76 said:Assuming you are referencing the Forestry building. If so, I hope you are talking the winter of '26/'27. This is a minimum of a two year project.SCH890 said:
I hope most will be finished by the winter. Plan is go to Nac then for a Xmas Break. Fingers Crossed.
For those that haven't been through campus in the last week, the Forestry building is no more. Remaining clean up and some dirt work, and the new will start to go up. At least a two year project.
Expect the previously mentioned web page to be up in the next two weeks or so for construction updates. Also, bricks have been salvaged. Get your pocketbooks ready for fund raising sometime in the future.
With faculty and staff spread out, the spring semester went "better than expected." We have a very talented, flexible, and gritty group of professionals in the ATCOFA.
Expect the previously mentioned web page to be up in the next two weeks or so for construction updates. Also, bricks have been salvaged. Get your pocketbooks ready for fund raising sometime in the future.
With faculty and staff spread out, the spring semester went "better than expected." We have a very talented, flexible, and gritty group of professionals in the ATCOFA.
The fence around the new dining hall is down, sidewalks poured, and landscaping is underway. From the outside, it really is a remarkable structure.
Although the May BOR agenda hasn't been posted yet, I hear that the new entrepreneurial building will be on it.
Although the May BOR agenda hasn't been posted yet, I hear that the new entrepreneurial building will be on it.
Will this be a new building or an area within a current structure?
I approve of the professionals at ATCOFA. Some great minds there.SFAJack_76 said:
For those that haven't been through campus in the last week, the Forestry building is no more. Remaining clean up and some dirt work, and the new will start to go up. At least a two year project.
Expect the previously mentioned web page to be up in the next two weeks or so for construction updates. Also, bricks have been salvaged. Get your pocketbooks ready for fund raising sometime in the future.
With faculty and staff spread out, the spring semester went "better than expected." We have a very talented, flexible, and gritty group of professionals in the ATCOFA.
New building.wawwhite said:
Will this be a new building or an area within a current structure?
SFAJack_76 said:
The fence around the new dining hall is down, sidewalks poured, and landscaping is underway. From the outside, it really is a remarkable structure.
Although the May BOR agenda hasn't been posted yet, I hear that the new entrepreneurial building will be on it.
We're getting a new entrepreneurial building?
Page 169. $40 million project. Two story building located north of the new forestry building.
https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/offices/board-of-regents/board-meetings/agenda-book-full/5-2025AB.pdf
https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/offices/board-of-regents/board-meetings/agenda-book-full/5-2025AB.pdf
Wow that is awesome. Kinda makes me wish I'd applied for the Entrepreneurship job a few years ago.
Glad to see SFA is getting a resource like that.
Glad to see SFA is getting a resource like that.
SFAJack_76 said:
Page 169. $40 million project. Two story building located north of the new forestry building.
https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/offices/board-of-regents/board-meetings/agenda-book-full/5-2025AB.pdf
Pardon my ignorance and simple mind, but what will be taught there? The description provided in the Regents document was very vague. Can it be explained in a way that a 4th grader (and I) can understand? How does one learn entreprenuership? Will this basically be a think tank?
Way out of my league, but this might help:SFA Jack Fanatic said:SFAJack_76 said:
Page 169. $40 million project. Two story building located north of the new forestry building.
https://www.utsystem.edu/sites/default/files/offices/board-of-regents/board-meetings/agenda-book-full/5-2025AB.pdf
Pardon my ignorance and simple mind, but what will be taught there? The description provided in the Regents document was very vague. Can it be explained in a way that a 4th grader (and I) can understand? How does one learn entreprenuership? Will this basically be a think tank?
https://www.sfasu.edu/entrepreneurship
If it is for entrepreneurship, why not expand the COB building? Regardless, UT affiliation is proving to be beneficial.
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