![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.theprospectordaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/UTEP_CONSTRUCTION_UPDATE_1.jpg\")
<\/a>Dr. Catie McCorry-Andalis, right, discusses upcoming campus development plans with Ximena Cordero, left, at the University of Texas at El Paso, Thursday, June 25, 2026. The interview focused on how ongoing and future construction projects will impact campus life for students. (Carol Mora)<\/p>\n\u201cWe are very mindful of what our students\u2019 needs are, and all of these projects I think have the students at the forefront of ensuring success while they\u2019re here at UTEP,\u201d McCorry-Andalis said. \u201cI firmly believe that UTEP is a top-notch institution, and we do public higher education the right way, providing access to this institution, but not lowering the bar on excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miner Crossing<\/p>\n
One of the biggest projects for the university is Minor Crossing, UTEP\u2019s future five-story residence hall for first-year students located on the north side of Kidd Field.<\/p>\n
Officials broke ground on May 28, and construction crews are currently preparing the site by installing utilities and laying out the foundation before the building begins to take shape.<\/p>\n
Unlike UTEP\u2019s apartment-style housing, Minor Crossing is intended to provide a more traditional first-year living experience complete with an on-site dining hall, intended to help students transition to college life.<\/p>\n
The residence hall is scheduled to open in fall 2028, with prospective students able to select rooms beginning in fall 2027.<\/p>\n
McCorry-Andalis said demand for campus housing continues to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the past four years, we have had a wait list for housing, and this fall [fall 2026] we will have it again,\u201d McCorry-Andalis said. \u201cThe desire to be here and just engross in student engagement and student life is very much what students want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCorry-Andalis says she expects the new residence hall to attract both students from outside the El Paso area and more local students interested in living on campus for the academic and social benefits as well as the economic benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have students who get apartments off campus or even are commuting from home, which for many of our students is absolutely fine, but when you start adding it up, the cost of gas, wear and tear in your vehicle, having to plan getting into research labs or internships, it becomes a bit challenging,\u201d McCorry-Andalis said. \u201cSo, being a little bit more central is helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arroyo Park<\/p>\n
The nearly demolished Liberal Arts Building marks another major milestone in UTEP\u2019s campus transformation.
McCorry-Andalis said the building, constructed in 1961, had become increasingly susceptible to flooding as development throughout El Paso changed the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are on track to completely demolish the Liberal Arts building by the end of the summer, if not sooner,\u201d McCorry-Andalis said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t had a lot of rain yet, which is helping this group do what they need to do, but liberal arts really sunk down in there, so if you go look, there\u2019s still a bit more like the first floor basement they\u2019re getting out of, so once that happens, then the restoration will start to occur, and so the completion will happen in two phases.\u201d<\/p>\n
The first phase will be completed in 2028 at the southern side closest to the Texas Western, then the second phase will be full completion by 2031 closer to the new Student Union building.<\/p>\n
After demolition, crews will begin restoring the area into a landscaped green space connecting Texas Western Hall with the future Student Union through walking paths, study areas and a pedestrian bridge.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be great for students, little niches to sit down and study, but you know, we\u2019re a campus for the community, so people walk their dogs all the time, or kids come out of little tricycles through here, like I\u2019m excited about that,\u201d McCorry-Andalis said. \u201cWe are not one of those institutions that have a big gate that you have to get permission to come in, like this is not my institution, it\u2019s this community\u2019s institution.\u201d<\/p>\n Union Buildings and Student Success Center<\/p>\n Planning is also underway for the Student Union renovation and the new Student Success Center, which McCorry-Andalis said are following nearly identical timelines.<\/p>\n During construction, departments such as the Counseling Center and the Student Engagement and Leadership Center will temporarily relocate, while Union East will remain open.<\/p>\n<\/a>Construction crew members working at a campus renovation site at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Carol Mora)<\/p>\n