Transit Oriented Development Arrives Before the DART Cotton Belt Line

Development around the University of Texas at Dallas is already complete in anticipation of a commuter rail line scheduled for completion in 2022.

1 minute read

July 15, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


High Rise Construction

Lyu Hu / Shutterstock

"The University of Texas at Dallas isn't waiting for a train," reports Ray Leszcynski. "Near the planned UTD stop along the prospective $1.1 billion Cotton Belt commuter rail line, apartments with ground-floor retail are now open. Thai food and bubble tea are already here, even though the train won't be until at least 2022."

According to Leszcynski the development in advance of the arrival of the Cotton Belt rail line "represents a convergence of DART's, [the city of] Richardson's and UTD's interests." Dallas Area Rapid Transit expects the UTD stop to a major hub on the Cotton Belt line, and UTD is working to become a less commuter-centric school.

The article includes details about the remaining vacant parcels that the city plans to position for development, with a potential large corporate anchor like Amazon.

Thursday, July 12, 2018 in The Dallas Morning News

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A group of officials stand in a patch of dirt holding golden shovels and white hardhats.

California city breaks ground on transit connector

The project includes three mobility hubs and a pedestrian bridge.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit

People walking by a brick school in Cambridge.

After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker

Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.

November 2 - Smart Cities Dive

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

November 2 - Block Club Chicago