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Post by Cat_A_holic on Jun 16, 2015 18:56:36 GMT -6
My understanding is well over 1,000.
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Post by wildcats0075 on Jun 16, 2015 22:15:20 GMT -6
Just saw this. This is one way to get creative to make ACU more of a destination. By Allison Brown Posted on May 23, 2015 | News | No comment ACU announced prospective plans for the development of an upscale mixed-use village on the north side of town. The Village at Allen Ridge, at the intersection of Interstate 20, Ambler Avenue and Judge Ely Boulevard, would provide Abilene’s north side with a more sophisticated center for dining, shopping, housing and entertainment. Similar to developments like Market Street in The Woodlands and Waters Creek in Allen, The Village would have restaurants, retail shopping, a movie theater and multi-family housing. ACIMCO, ACU’s endowment management company, has spent the last 18 months in partnership with BVTD LLC of Dallas determining the feasibility of such a development. Kelly Young, chief financial officer, said they have studied the demographics, market and regional economy of Abilene. “We are trying to determine if these kinds of projects that have worked so well in other cities could it work in a city like Abilene,” Young said. “At this point, we’d say yes, we have the kind of population and demographics that could support this.” The three largest private institutions in Abilene – ACU, Hardin-Simmons University and Hendrick Medical Center – are on the north side of town. Outside of these institutions and the downtown cultural district, there isn’t much reason to come to the north side, Young said. The development would not only cater to the college students and medical professionals on the north side, but would draw people from all over the greater Abilene area. “Many cities that have the kind of university and medical neighborhood like we do, it’s also the most vibrant area of town, like at TCU, SMU, A&M, University of Texas,” Young said. “So, we feel like by creating this village that will be very attractive to our ACU students, prospective students, Hardin Simmons and Tech students, it will also be a draw for other people.” In addition to The Village at Allen Ridge, ACIMCO is looking at creating a new single-family residential community off of E. N. 10th Street. Young said the two projects will support each other in drawing people to Abilene’s north side. Young said he and ACIMCO have already talked to retailers and dining groups interested in being part of The Village. The next step in the project will be getting businesses to commit. “We don’t want to build until we have commitments,” Young said. If enough restaurants and retailers commit, ACIMCO will run its final financial models and make a recommendation to its board. Young said he hopes to present to the board late this summer or early fall. “If we can determine that there is enough commitment over the summer, and all of the financial numbers still makes sense, and the board says yes, then it’s a matter of finding the final investors over the fall,” Young said. “If this all goes smoothly, then you’re looking somewhere within a year that things might start going up.” ACIMCO will determine options for financing and investing after financial models are complete at the end of the summer. “What we know is that we have a very valuable piece of undeveloped land at I-20, Ambler and Judge Ely,” Young said. “And if it does turn out to be feasible, we’ll have a development generating revenue that supports ACU’s programs.” - See more at: www.acuoptimist.com/2015/05/acu-looks-to-create-upscale-village-near-campus/#sthash.SK4tBaUz.dpuf
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Jun 17, 2015 4:06:00 GMT -6
I learned today that statements were made at new student orientation yesterday that this years incoming Freshman group (Class of 2019) is projected to be the largest class in ACU history. That is good news!!! Good. A lot of new construction on campus has been to aid student recruitment. The Welcome Center and the Money Center in particular were supposed to help entice potential students. Nice to see that strategy returning dividends.
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Post by catmasters05 on Jun 22, 2015 11:31:32 GMT -6
As a student I just want to say it's great to see adults really excited about sports. From a student point of view it is really hard to get my friends to attend games with me. De Leon seems to be hitting the ground running, the Elmer Grey Jr. looks great and with Wildcat football being brought on campus I hope things will be turning around so students get excited about going to games. It has been great scrolling through this chat room seeing others discuss things around ACU with so much passion. studentchancellor, I think we all would love to see more students on here as well. You can provide a fresher approach and ideas that many of us don't even think about. We are passionate about ACU, and I am excited to see what the student section has in store for next year. I see that the Wildcat Reign Student Section is a founding member of the National Colegiate Student Section Association, and recently attended the NCSSA Convention... I am sure they will bring so many great ideas back. Student Sections can enhance the game for other fans as well as be a great support for the teams on the field/court.
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Post by wildcats0075 on Jun 22, 2015 12:00:44 GMT -6
As a student I just want to say it's great to see adults really excited about sports. From a student point of view it is really hard to get my friends to attend games with me. De Leon seems to be hitting the ground running, the Elmer Grey Jr. looks great and with Wildcat football being brought on campus I hope things will be turning around so students get excited about going to games. It has been great scrolling through this chat room seeing others discuss things around ACU with so much passion. Did he just call us "old" people......... I know he said adult, but they are over 18 and legally adult, so that just makes us the "old" adults. All right Student Chancellor, "Get off my Lawn." I would love to see more students on here and especially at the games. The game day experience needs the noise and youthful exuberance that only a lively student section can bring. It would be amazing to have several thousand screaming students take over most of the visitor side of the stadium. I can dream.... in between glasses of prune juice.
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Post by Cap'n Cattitude on Jun 22, 2015 12:49:06 GMT -6
He called us adults. From what I know about this group that is a stretch.
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Post by catmasters05 on Jun 22, 2015 13:21:55 GMT -6
Also since this section is about the new stadium I have some new information. HKS recently has sent a first round of ideas for what the stadium will look like. It isn't like the stadium renditions that were pitched but it has a different flavor. The bowl layout has been ditched in favor of a traditional high school layout, but more upscale. I really liked the bowl layout, but I am just glad to see there is some progress.
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Jun 22, 2015 14:22:47 GMT -6
Thank you and I hope i will be able to contribute to this site. Varsity I meant no offense in calling y'all adults, but I will humbly get off of your lawn. Oh and if you don't want to drink prune juice me and other neighborhood kids will be selling lemonade down the street. I know personally the guy in charge of Wildcat Reign and he is doing a phenomenal job in doing his best to create a buzz around campus. Last week we found the lyrics to the fight song. We didn't even know it had lyrics so we began looking through them. There was one part that said "hold the line." We got excited about this and we might pitch it to De Leon and Collums as football slogan and hashtag. It would be awesome hearing Grant Boone say "hold the line wildcats" on defensive key play. Also since this section is about the new stadium I have some new information. HKS recently has sent a first round of ideas for what the stadium will look like. It isn't like the stadium renditions that were pitched but it has a different flavor. The bowl layout has been ditched in favor of a traditional high school layout, but more upscale. Keep in mind that this is the first iteration and there will be many many stuff added and taken away with the meetings between architects, donors, BOT and athletics. Wait. I don't recall any "hold the line" lyrics...does that come just after Oh, Dear Christian College we love you...hold the line....
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Post by Cap'n Cattitude on Jun 22, 2015 14:58:27 GMT -6
It's not "O dear Christian College" but the "ACU Fight Song" that is played at football games. Never assume that Oscar is serious.
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Jun 22, 2015 15:17:43 GMT -6
It's not "O dear Christian College" but the "ACU Fight Song" that is played at football games. Never assume that Oscar is serious.
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Jun 22, 2015 15:20:50 GMT -6
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Post by OscarWildeCat, Admin on Jun 22, 2015 15:22:10 GMT -6
It's not "O dear Christian College" but the "ACU Fight Song" that is played at football games. Just messin with ya, man.
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Post by WildCatToothDoc on Jun 22, 2015 15:55:00 GMT -6
I really liked the bowl layout. It must cost more. Please don't look like merely a high school stadium. Oh well you know what they say about beggars. .....
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Post by catmasters05 on Jun 22, 2015 16:06:56 GMT -6
I really liked the bowl layout. It must cost more. Please don't look like merely a high school stadium. Oh well you know what they say about beggars. ..... My thoughts exactly... which is why I am just happy there is progress. I loved the unique look to the bowl design. I have been to SHSU and SFA and just wasn't impressed because their stadiums looked like high school stadiums BUT, at this point, I am just ready for a nice stadium on campus.
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Post by bogeyman on Jun 22, 2015 16:58:57 GMT -6
I thought SFA'S stadium was pretty unique. What did I miss? The last time I saw a game at Sam Houston, it was a high school field (early 80's). I too liked the bowl, I hope the final plans are not like a HS stadium.
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