FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact: Sue Stevens, Senior Media Relations Officer, 817-272-2761, sstevens@uta.edu

ARLINGTON - The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new community outreach initiative, "College Town, UTA," to assist in the revitalization of old downtown Arlington. The University stands at the heart of the district, which extends from Center Street east to the Levitt Pavilion, south to Park Row Drive, west to Davis Street and north past Abram Street.

The vision for a revitalized downtown blends existing performing and visual art venues, historic neighborhoods, libraries, parks, retailers and restaurants and UT Arlington, a research and educational powerhouse with a world-class planetarium and soon-to-be-constructed 190,000 square-foot special events center.

Once thought of as primarily a commuter college, the University is an emerging research institution with 28,000 students. Nearly 7,000 live on or within a mile of campus. With the growth in the resident student population, the number of topnotch entertainment and activities on campus has grown exponentially. Many are open to the public.

The term "college town," coined through its grassroots use around the country, describes a place of diverse and interesting people who value education, innovation, the arts and commerce. Amy Schultz, UT Arlington associate vice president for communications and community relations, said "College Town, UTA" will connect the University's neighbors, both residential and commercial, with the many opportunities available to them on campus.

"Living in a college town means having a world‐class university as a neighbor. It means access to diverse cultural, athletic, and intellectual opportunities," said Jerry Lewis, vice president for communications at UT Arlington. "It means working together to make our town a better place to call home."

College Town, UTA will include: 

• The "College Town, UTA" Web site, launching on September 28, which will provide up-to-date information on UT Arlington topics of interest to neighbors, including construction updates, public events, resources, discounts, partnership opportunities and children's programming.
• The "College Town, UTA" newsletter, mailed twice annually to residents within a mile of campus, features campus projects and programs of specific interest to the University's closest neighbors.
• The "Paint the Town Blue" program will provide commercial neighbors with University information and resources for developing mutually beneficial business partnerships.

 Visit www.uta.edu/collegetown for more information.