UCF Commits to Downtown Orlando Campus - Orlando Business Journal

Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus - Orlando Sentinel

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f t m Features / Education / Higher Education Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/higher-education/os-orlando-money-ucf-downtown-campus-20160202-story.html[2/2/2016 7:32:53 PM] Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus - Orlando Sentinel

Not all faculty are excited about the upcoming UCF downtown campus.

By Jeff Weiner and Gabrielle Russon • Contact Reporters Orlando Sentinel

SHARE THIS f t City lays out $75 million in land, infrastructure for UCF's planned downtown campus

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FEBRUARY 2, 2016, 7:23 PM

oping to bolster UCF's case for a downtown campus, the city of Orlando on H Tuesday revealed $75 million in commitments to the project. An agreement set to be presented Monday to the City Council pledges that Orlando would hand over more than $42 million in land and property alone for the campus, plus road and sewer work and parking.

The deal has been in the works for months, and officials say it's concrete proof that local http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/higher-education/os-orlando-money-ucf-downtown-campus-20160202-story.html[2/2/2016 7:32:53 PM] Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus - Orlando Sentinel

government and private developers have bought into the University of Central Florida's downtown plan.

"It creates some good momentum in the minds of the Board [of Governors] and others," said Mayor Buddy Dyer.

The school is seeking approval for the project from the Board of Governors, which oversees universities, and $20 million in funding from the state Legislature.

UCF wants to open a 165,000-square-foot building in fall 2018 for 7,700 UCF and Valencia College students as part of the larger Creative Village project on the western side of downtown.

"We've been working with the city for the past year," university spokeswoman Christine Dellert said. "It's just formalizing their commitment … The city has been a partner since the beginning."

The announcement comes at a critical ò time for the proposal. The university A rendering of what the proposed downtown Orlando UCF campus first must win permission to build the might look like. campus from the Board of Governors, which has only one more meeting before the Legislature adjourns in March. The board also has expressed skepticism about the project.

On Tuesday, local officials expressed optimism that they've addressed those concerns. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/higher-education/os-orlando-money-ucf-downtown-campus-20160202-story.html[2/2/2016 7:32:53 PM] Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus - Orlando Sentinel

"Clearly, a question that the Board of Governors asked ... was how's the city involved? How's the city supporting it and how is the private developer supporting it?" said Craig Ustler, developer for Creative Village.

The agreement details an array of taxpayer and private commitments to the project:

• The city agrees to hand over to UCF a 15-acre, city-owned tract at Parramore Avenue and Livingston Street, valued at $20 million, plus the Center for Emerging Media, a building valued at $22.5 million.

Orlando commits $4 million to stormwater drainage improvements, plus about $19 million to revamp a stretch of Livingston Street between Parramore and Terry avenues.

• The city would give UCF about $2 million in parking concessions through a five-year lease of the CentroPlex garage. Orlando would also buy and hand over a CSX rail spur on the campus property.

•The Creative Village committed $7.7 million in property, including classroom space for Valencia College's culinary program, and a privately owned tract north of Livingston.

Once it owns the land, UCF plans to build a $60 million building, funded in thirds: $20 million in state funding, $20 million from its own budget and the remainder coming through private donations UCF is still seeking. Dellert said private pledges have totaled more than $9 million so far.

Dellert said no timetable has been set for UCF to go before the Board of Governors. The board has a teleconference Feb. 18, the final scheduled meeting before the Legislature goes home in March.

Dyer said he thinks the project will have $15 million in private donations before it goes before the Board of Governors and said he is confident an amount short of $20 million http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/higher-education/os-orlando-money-ucf-downtown-campus-20160202-story.html[2/2/2016 7:32:53 PM] Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus - Orlando Sentinel wouldn't derail the state funding.

"There could be language in the budget that says the state money is contingent on raising the remainder of the private money," Dyer said.

In Tallahassee, Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said, "We are excited to see the city rally around this important project, and we look forward to making our case and receiving the support of the Board of Governors later this month."

But success with the Board of Governors and Legislature might only lead to another roadblock in Gov. Rick Scott.

The governor dealt the project its biggest setback in June, when he vetoed $15 million that had been set aside for it. Since then, UCF has downsized the number of buildings and scaled back its reliance on state funding.

Staff writer Gray Rohrer contributed to this report.

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This article is related to: Orange County, Colleges and Universities, Education, Commercial Real Estate, University of Central Florida, Buddy Dyer, Andy Gardiner

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Related http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/higher-education/os-orlando-money-ucf-downtown-campus-20160202-story.html[2/2/2016 7:32:53 PM] Orlando lays out $75 million in support for UCF's downtown campus - Orlando Sentinel

Some UCF faculty question plans for downtown campus h

Jan. 29, 2016

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UCF commits to downtown Orlando campus - Orlando Business Journal

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Cities Business Directory Book of Lists U It’s official: UCF commits to downtown campus in Creative Village Sep 23, 2014, 9:20am EDT UPDATED: Sep 24, 2014, 3:35pm EDT

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The University of Central Florida has Mark your calendar: All Aboard Florida hosts public meetings committed to moving entire programs to Bank of America fined $7.65M over accounting blunder downtown Orlando, with more than 10,000 22 events bringing 166,000+ people to downtown Orlando, students in total. Lake Nona

UCF President John Hitt, speaking at a Modi's message to corporate America: India has workers, you've got money focus breakfast in downtown Orlando Sept. 23, said the school wants to come to Got a great idea? Here's your crash course on protecting it Creative Village. Significant challenges lie (Part 1) ahead, though, as a critical piece — the Thornton Park's Soco gives modern touch to comfort food funding for the campus — hasn’t been classics found yet. And just as importantly, the UCF The Force is still strong in Disney fans for Star Wars board of trustees and the Florida Board of expansion, poll says Governors have to sign off on the plan. Resident battle: Proposed Baldwin Park development faces appeal “I like to say at UCF, we transform the impossible to the inevitable,” Hitt said. How Latin Food & Wine Festival may bring big exposure to local restaurants “Together, we will make inevitable a more

http://www.bizjournals.com/...-official-ucf-commits-to-downtown-campus-in.html?ana=e_du_wknd&s=article_du&ed=2014-09-27&u=/WW6GfDDOfJcKQa2Vc05Ag07f48b4a&t=1412026502[9/29/2014 5:41:02 PM] UCF commits to downtown Orlando campus - Orlando Business Journal

vibrant and more prosperous city of 4 tips for getting a meeting with potential investors Enlarge Photo Orlando. Together, we will make UCF What should replace Universal’s NASCAR restaurant? downtown a reality.” UCF President John Hitt announced Sept. 23 that the university has committed to a downtown Orlando campus. Come Out With Pride Orlando to have $3M local impact

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Related Slideshow Hitt: UCF downtown campus could be a Is anyone paying attention to your banner ad? $200M project UCF Downtown concept art The List: Top production and semi-custom homebuilders in 7 things to know about UCF Downtown in C. Fla. Creative Village It has begun: Orlando Tech Week kicks off in downtown Weigh in: Is UCF in Creative Village a game Orlando changer or a boondoggle? 6 ways to handle a crazy, demanding, out-of-control schedule UCF said the critical mass for the downtown campus would be 6,000 Pending home sales dip; will first-time buyers make up for loss of investors? students, as well as 4,000 students from Cities Business Directory Book of Lists Upstart Business Journal Valencia College, a partner in the Disney launches new Star Wars era with Rebels premier expansion. Want to start your week with a bang? Try 'Get Stuff Done Mondays' While the final list of programs committed to downtown is still to be determined, Hitt Orlando airport loses one of its most-respected visionaries mentioned WUCF TV, digital media and Round 2 of Orlando Brand Madness kicks off today visual arts, and public service. He also said Women to watch this week: Sept. 29 - Oct. 5 the school is exploring a possible new program for students with disabilities. The most memorable of 'Harvey Mackay's Morals'

Sponsored Links Advertisment Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Steven “Snak” “If we wait much longer I feel the Nakagawa opportunity will pass,” Hitt said. “There Faxing By Phone is So 1985 won’t be the opportunity there to mix it into Faxing By Email Eliminates Hardware, Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Jovanna Nelson Supplies & Maintenance Costs. Try eFax the Creative Village concept. If we’re going Free For 30 Days! Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Jerry E. Pierce to do it, this is the time.” eFax Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Kevin Seidl

For more details on the downtown campus, The four myths of employee turnover Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Barbara see the stories below: Why turnover matters and what it really Stankowski means to manage turnover. Download the free whitepaper Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Mark Waltrip UCF Downtown: Closer look at Valencia Payscale College’s role The Suckling Pig Theory: Are you too successful to be an entrepreneur? Get Listed Here 7 things to know about UCF Downtown in Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Todd Wilcox

Creative Village Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Neeld Wilson

Hitt: UCF downtown campus could be a $200M project UCF Downtown: 29 degrees and programs you think should be there

Weigh in: Is UCF in Creative Village a game changer or a boondoggle? Meet 2014 Veterans of Influence honoree Anthony Zupo

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Orlando cribs: C. Fla’s most expensive home sales in 1Q Page 1 2 | View All Leaders weigh in: Will there be funding for UCF in Creative Village?

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