(December 21, 2006)—The committee formed to study sites for the George W. Bush Presidential Library will enter into exclusive discussions with Southern Methodist University, SMU President R. Gerald Turner announced Thursday.

Baylor University and the University of Dallas were also named as finalists for the library, but published reports earlier this year said the first couple have decided on SMU as the site.

SMU is the first lady’s alma mater.

Turner announced the development during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Earlier, in a statement posted on the university’s Web site, Turner said that library search committee chairman Don Evans has notified the university that “SMU has been selected by the committee for the next phase of planning discussions. These discussions will begin after the first of the year.”

“We do not know how long these discussions will take,” the statement said, “However any significant announcement concerning the process will come from chairman Evans.”

Turner said Evans made it clear that the development “is not a site selection announcement.”

But, Turner said, “This is the best stage we could be in at this point in time.”

The announcement comes two weeks after US District Judge Jerry Buchmeyer ruled that SMU has clear title to a condominium complex that school officials have considered for the library site.

SMU Vice President for Legal Affairs Leon Bennett says the university plans to evict the remaining residents this month and begin tearing down the complex.

Two condo owners, a dentist who moved out and a lawyer who still lives there, contend SMU used unfair tactics to buy out owners at low prices.

The university denied the charges. Buchmeyer ruled the plaintiffs didn't prove SMU broke the University Gardens Condominiums bylaws.

The plaintiffs said they plan to appeal.

A formal announcement about the library site wasn’t expected until early next year, although the New York Daily News reported last month that the president and first lady had already chosen SMU and that close supporters were pushing for an announcement in order to launch a major fundraising effort.

The paper reported that the president’s closest backers are poised to begin raising $500 million to pay for construction of a presidential library and think tank at SMU.

The fundraising target is twice as much as original estimates that placed the cost of the library at about $250 million.

Baylor has made a major push for the library and set aside a tract of land along the Brazos River for the facility.

Statement Of Library Site Selection Committee

STATEMENT BY DONALD L. EVANS ON BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
George W. Bush Presidential Library Enters Next Phase of Site Selection Process

WASHINGTON, DC -- On behalf of The George W. Bush Presidential Library Site Selection Committee Donald L. Evans announced that the Committee is entering the next phase of deliberations on the selection of the site for the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

Mr. Evans said, "The Selection Committee is taking another step in the President's decision to select a site for the George W. Bush Presidential Library as we enter into further discussions with Southern Methodist University (SMU)."

The George W. Bush Presidential Library Site Selection Committee consists of Donald L. Evans, Marvin P. Bush, Andrew H. Card and Ambassador Craig R. Stapleton.

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