Neighbors of TU Wary About Universityâ€™s Expansion Plans

The University of Tulsa announced a 30 million dollar expansion project Friday.<br>The plans include soccer and softball fields, a running track, tennis center, student health and fitness center, student

Friday, February 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The University of Tulsa announced a 30 million dollar expansion project Friday.
The plans include soccer and softball fields, a running track, tennis center, student health and fitness center, student apartments and additional parking. University officials gathered to break ground on the Donna J. Hardesty Sports and Recreation Complex.

Dozens of people gathered for the groundbreaking, which also honored Tulsans Roger and Donna Hardesty for helping to fund the project. University president Bob Lawless says the expansion is a long time coming for students. "This kind of recreational facilities and other activities that go on campus are very important,â€ he said. â€œIf you want to have a residential campus, I don't think you can expect the students to just come to school and then not have anything for them that meets their other needs."

The soccer and softball fields are expected to be completed this fall. The rest will be completed within two years.

Neighbors in the area say they don't mind the noise and construction too much.
However, they say they are worried about where they stand in the university's future plans. Glen Marshall lives in a house near T-U and takes care of his mother. He says her home has been in the family for 80 years and he's afraid if the university continues to expand, she'll lose it.

Like many of the neighbors nearby, he says it's disturbing to think about, but perhaps for the best. "You can't let it upset you,â€ Marshall said. â€œIt just comes and you have to go with it. Whatever they want to do I guess."

Most of the homeowners in the area near the T-U campus wouldn't talk on camera. But they say they have mixed emotions about the expansion. On one hand, they're happy for the students. On the other hand, they're worried that eventually the university will phase out their homes.

However, Lawless says residents don't have anything to worry about. He says T-U has no plans to expand west of Columbia Avenue or north of Fourth Place.

Business owners near T-U say the expansion is boosting their sales. Mark Hutchens, owner of Markâ€™s Super Sub, says his sales have increased 15 per cent in the past year. "More people come to this area now, because it's being beautified,â€ he said. â€œIt was kind of ugly down here at times."