2001SMU quietly begins work and research on bringing the library of newly-elected President George W. Bush to campus.
June 2005SMU shutters the University Gardens complex, triggering a lawsuit from condo owner Gary Vodicka.
July 7, 2005SMU receives a request for proposal from the Library Selection Committee.
Sept. 14, 2005SMU delivers its proposal to the committee.
Oct. 12, 2005SMU, Baylor, the University of Dallas and the West Texas Coalition are named finalists for the library project by the committee. Texas A&M University, the University of Texas-Austin and the City of Arlington are eliminated.
Nov. 11, 2005SMU makes its presentation to the committee.
Mar. 16, 2006The committee eliminates the West Texas Coalition bid from contention.
Fall 2006The University Gardens case bounces between state and federal courts when Vodicka and one of his tenants files for bankruptcy – halting the proceedings for several months.
Dec. 7, 2006SMU wins summary judgment in University Gardens case, giving SMU clear title to the land the complex sits on.
Dec. 20, 2006Vodicka’s appeal of the Dec. 7 ruling fails, allowing SMU to begin demolition of the vacant units. Vodicka appeals the ruling to the fifth circuit appeals court in New Orleans.
Dec. 21, 2006SMU named a finalist by the committee and enters into “exclusive negotiations” with the Bush Foundation.
Jan. 2007Faculty members begin raising questions about the proposed institute that would accompany the library complex.
Jan. 18, 2007A group of Methodists lead by Rev. Andrew Weaver launch an anti-library complex petition, eventually getting more than 12,000 signatures.
Jan. 23, 2007The University of Dallas drops its bid.
Mar. 7, 2007Library project nearly derailed in a Faculty Senate meeting. A resolution that called for SMU to disassociate itself with the institute ended in a 13-13 tie with three abstentions.
Mar. 14, 2007The Mission Council of the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church approves SMU’s lease of campus land as possible site of the library complex.
Aug. 28, 2007Committee announces Robert A. M. Stern Architects of New York as library complex’s architect.
Nov. 9, 2007President Bush chooses Ambassador Mark Langdale to serve as president of the George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation.
Jan. 9, 2008The Bush Foundation receives a requested letter from the College of Bishops of the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, assuring them the land lease is secure for the library project.
Feb. 21, 2008The Daily Campus is the first to report an announcement on a deal between SMU and the Bush Foundation that will occur within the next 24 hours.
Feb. 22, 2008SMU President R. Gerald Turner and Bush Foundation chairman Don Evans host a press conference announcing a deal has been reached – making SMU the site of the library complex. The Board of Trustees approves the deal.
– List compiled by Mark Norris with additional information from SMU Public Affairs
