Neighborhood News helps those who live near SMU stay informed about special programs, construction work, athletic events and other activities that impact their lives. For questions, please contact us.

>> Update for the former Mrs. Baird's site (June 12, 2013)

Construction has begun on SMU's new Data Center located on the former Mrs. Baird's property at Mockingbird Lane and North Central Expressway. The Data Center is a one-story 22,000 square foot facility designed in SMU's Collegiate Georgian architectural style. This new facility will provide telecommunications and data storage for the SMU campus. The Data Center is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. For more information about construction projects at SMU, please see http://www.smu.edu/BusinessFinance/PDC/ConstructionUpdate.

>> SMU Summer Camps: For Kids and Teens

A variety of camp programs are offered on SMU’s main campus in Dallas as well as in Plano during the summer. Kids and teens have the opportunity to participate in athletic programs, learn with LEGO® or explore an interest in engineering. Camps began June 1 and continue into early August. Read more.

>> SMU’s Degolyer Library to display George Washington’s copy of the U.S. Constitution

George Washington’s personal copy of the Acts of Congress, which includes the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other legislation passed by the first session of Congress, will be displayed July 14-27 at SMU’s DeGolyer Library. The 106-page volume is emblazoned with Washington’s bookplate and includes his handwritten notes in the margins.

Washington’s document will be part of DeGolyer Library’s summer exhibit, “Hail to the Chief: American Presidential History in Word and Image,” July 14-Sept. 20. Read more.

>> Bush Presidential Center Opens

The George W. Bush Presidential Center at Bush Avenue and SMU Boulevard on the SMU campus was dedicated on April 25 and opened to the public on May 1. Read more about planning your visit.

>> Tate Lecture Series Announces 2013-14 Season

SMU’s Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings a broad range of intellectual and entertaining voices to the SMU campus and Dallas community, has announced its 2013-14 season of speakers. They include David Gergen, Robert Gates, Leon Panetta, Robert Caro, Sir Ken Robinson, Erskine Bowles, Alan Simpson, Garry Kasparov, A. J. Jacobs, Cokie Roberts, Susan Stamberg, Nina Totenberg, and Linda Wertheimer. Read more.

>> Airline-Dublin Connection Renamed Bush Avenue

The Airline Road-Dublin Street connection between Mockingbird Lane and SMU Boulevard on the SMU campus was renamed Bush Avenue by the University Park City Council on March 5, 2013. The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is at the southeast corner of Bush Avenue and SMU Boulevard.

>> Residential Commons Construction

SMU has embarked on the construction of a new housing complex on Bush Avenue north of Mockingbird Lane. No streets currently are closed because of the project. The project consists of new Residential Commons buildings which will add 1,250 beds to SMU's housing inventory, a new Dining Commons to serve the entire SMU community, and a new 800 space Parking Garage. The construction of the new housing started January 2012 and is scheduled for completion summer 2014, opening for the Fall 2014 semester. Read more.

>> Binkley Avenue Closed

Binkley Avenue between Airline Road and Bush Avenue will remain closed through November 2013 for construction activities.

>> Update for the former Mrs. Baird's site (July 24, 2012)

Construction activities on the former Mrs. Baird's site are expected to begin in August 2012 and be completed for the entire parcel of land by the summer of 2014. Improvements slated for the former bakery's site include an intercollegiate indoor and outdoor tennis facility, a practice throwing field, a computer data center, and landscape enhancements throughout the site.

>> Visit SMU's Centennial Hall Exhibit

The Centennial Hall exhibit opened in fall 2011 on the first level of Hughes-Trigg Student Center. It includes a historical timeline, videos, interactive features and tributes to the various communities associated with SMU, such as Dallas and the Park Cities. In addition to displays, the centennial exhibit includes electronic quizzes about SMU throughout the years and opportunities for visitors to add their reflections and hopes for SMU’s future.

>> Parking Restrictions:

The City of University Park has established residential parking districts adjacent to the University that restrict on-street parking between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Only UP residents are allowed to park on city streets within the established residential parking districts with a displayed resident parking or guest permit issued by the City of University Park. Other vehicles will be cited by the City of University Park Police Department. On-street parking on weekends or after 5 p.m. will be permitted. Read more.