An anonymous donor has pledged to fully fund the construction of a new parking lot adjacent to the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, according to a university statement released Monday. The gift, estimated at $3 million, will address long-standing concerns over limited parking availability for students, faculty, and visitors. The university praised the donor’s generosity, calling it a “transformative contribution that meets an urgent infrastructure need.”

University officials confirmed the parking lot will be built on a parcel of land northwest of the law school, with construction expected to begin later this year. The lot will include over 70 spaces, improved lighting, ADA-compliant access, and sustainability features such as permeable pavement and native landscaping. While details about the donor remain undisclosed, UT officials shared that the benefactor is a longtime supporter of the university with a “deep connection to the Law School.”

Still, some advocates for sustainable development noted the paradox in expanding car-centric infrastructure. While the lot will provide short-term relief, experts say continued expansion of such lots is futile and creates a positive feedback loop in which more lots induce more driving which in turn incentivizes further lot construction. "We’re always balancing access with long-term vision,” said a UT planning official, who noted the university’s growing emphasis on walkability, bikeability, transit access, and mixed-use space.