The Arlington Urban Design Center (AUDC), located at Arlington City Hall, invited the public to see its recent remodel at an open house on Wednesday. The renovations included a new glass storefront and updated furnishings.

The center is a joint partnership between the City of Arlington and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Graduate students in architecture, landscape architecture and planning work with city staff on projects impacting the development and design of the city.

Mayor Robert Cluck, M.D., and UTA Provost Ron Elsenbaumer, Ph.D., spoke at the open house and praised the center, the partnership and the students.

"The Arlington Urban Design Center is a wonderful partnership between the City of Arlington and UT Arlington that benefits each entity and the community at large," said Lyndsay Mitchell, the city's Planning Project Manager who oversees the center. "Student interns at the AUDC are provided the opportunity to gain real-world experience with conceptual design projects, making them stronger candidates as they enter the job market upon graduation. The AUDC allows the City to provide a cost-free service to local businesses and organizations looking to improve their facades, landscapes, etc. It's a true win-win."

The center was established in 2009. Since that time, the AUDC has leveraged more than $1,136,056 in conceptual design and planning costs. The average cost savings per project is $11,958.

Recent projects have included landscape planning and building design for the Fielder House, the design of a WWII Memorial at the city's Central Library and a redevelopment plan for the area near Park Row Drive and Cooper Street.