UT Board of Regents discuss negotiations regarding ASARCO site in executive session

The UT Board of Regents in executive session talked about the possible acquisition of hundreds of acres from the old ASARCO site but did not take any action on the agenda item once the board reconvened in open session Thursday afternoon.

Paul Foster, chairman of the Board of Regents, said at the end of the board’s meeting that the board had the opportunity to “discuss issues related to negotiations concerning land currently owned by ASARCO Texas Custodial Trust.”

“Mr. chairman, I just wanted to point out that similar to the situation at UT Brownsville it would be a great opportunity and great benefit for UT El Paso. And I’m glad to see the UT System and the institution are working toward the acquisition of this property if possible,” Regent Ernest Aliseda said about the ASARCO property issue before Foster adjourned the meeting without the board taking action on the ASARCO property.

Just prior to the ASARCO agenda item the board voted and approved the purchase of land for the expansion of UT Brownsville.

The UT Regents-ASARCO item on the agenda was for discussion and possible action of purchase of 443 acres of land on the former ASARCO site “for future programmed campus expansion.”

The land would be taken out of the J. Baker Survey #10 and the I.F. Harrison Survey #54 located on Paisano Dr. and I-10.

Members of the UT Regents toured the old ASARCO site last month.