Jan 22, 2007 12:51 pm US/Central
University Of Dallas Drops Bid For Bush Library
IRVING (AP) ―
The University of Dallas withdrew its bid for George W. Bush presidential library Monday, citing the library site selection committee's exclusive talks with nearby Southern Methodist University.
Last month SMU emerged as the apparent winner for the library with the announcement of the negotiations, putting it ahead of the other two finalists, the University of Dallas and Baylor University in Waco.
Despite the withdrawal, University of Dallas President Frank Lazarus said Monday he did not consider the bid a failure because it had "propelled us onto the national stage."
The 3,000-student Catholic university in the Dallas suburb of Irving had planned to put the library, museum and public policy institute on 300 acres bordered by the Trinity River. It would have included a 250-acre Freedom Park, with trails and an area for concerts.
A final decision on the library is expected within months after Bush receives a recommendation from committee members Don L. Evans, former commerce secretary; Marvin P. Bush, the president's brother; Andrew Card, Bush's first chief of staff; and Craig Roberts Stapleton, U.S. ambassador to France.
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