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.

>> Binkley Avenue closed until May 11

Binkley Avenue from Airline Road to Dublin Street will be closed starting Monday, March 19, through Friday, May 11, for construction activities. All parking spaces along Binkley Avenue will be inaccessible.
Also, the south entrance/exit to Moody Garage will be closed. All vehicles parking in Moody Garage must enter and exit the garage from SMU Boulevard.

>> Calatrava exhibit opens at the Meadows Museum

SMU’s Meadows Museum, home to the first large-scale Santiago Calatrava sculpture to be permanently installed in the United States, is joining the city-wide celebration honoring the dedication of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge designed by the Spanish architect. Meadows will host a special exhibition –“Calatrava and SMU: A Decade in Motion,” March 4 - April 22, 2012. Read more.

>> Update for the former Mrs. Baird's site (February 10, 2012)

Construction activities on the former Mrs. Baird's site are expected to begin within the next few months 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.

>> Attend the Godbey Lecture Series

The spring 2012 Godbey Lecture Series begins Jan. 30, examining topics ranging from the presidential election to powerful poetry, from particle physics to brain science, and from notable women to the mysteries of autism. Read more.

>> SMU update on plans for former Mrs. Baird’s site (January 17, 2012)

After evaluating conceptual plans from Oncor, SMU has determined that it will not locate an electrical substation on the former Mrs. Baird's site, located at Mockingbird Lane near Central Expressway.

This decision also means that no related switching yard will be installed on the DART right-of-way near the Katy Trail. University representatives will continue to work with Oncor, DART, the Texas Department of Transportation and others as necessary to evaluate other locations for the substation facility and switching yard.

SMU looks forward to completing its improvement of the former bakery's site, including the addition of new green space, an intercollegiate tennis facility, a practice throwing field and a computer data center.

>> Update regarding Mrs. Baird’s site (November 30, 2011)

SMU has been taking core samples at the Mrs. Baird’s site to determine foundation requirements for structures that will be built there. Drilling related to this process should be completed in a few days. Regarding substation-related plans, Oncor representatives, at SMU's request, continue to evaluate alternative locations for the proposed facility.

>> Visit SMU's New Centennial Hall Exhibit

The Centennial Hall exhibit opened this fall 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.

>> SMU statement regarding Mrs. Baird’s site and Oncor

SMU is continuing its discussions with electrical provider Oncor regarding an electrical substation planned as part of the University’s development of the former Mrs. Baird’s site at Central Expressway and Mockingbird Lane. SMU is committed to improving the quality of SMU through needed facilities while at the same time remaining sensitive to neighborhood concerns. (September 23, 2011)

>> 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.

>> Construction Update: Mrs. Baird's Site

Five business structures along the south side of Mockingbird Lane and the former Mrs. Baird's Bread structure have been removed. SMU is in the process of reviewing proposals for architects and contractors for the tennis complex, data center and electrical substation that will be built there. Construction will begin later this year. Read more.