The University of Central Florida will present its plan for a downtown Orlando campus to the Florida Board of Governors on March 2.
The meeting will be held in Orlando; an exact location is still pending. At the meeting, UCF leaders will lay out plans for a new academic building for relocated academic programs that align with downtown Orlando’s growing industries.
The new academic building at UCF Downtown will complement a renovated Center for Emerging Media building where UCF’s nationally ranked graduate video gaming school, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, is located.
One-third of the new $60 million building will be funded through community support. Already, $9 million has been raised. Last month, the Orlando Magic and CFE Federal Credit Union each pledged $1.5 million. University leaders and board members have made personal contributions totaling more than $1 million. Orange County commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $3 million, and Valencia College will contribute $2 million.
Additionally, the Orlando City Council on Monday will vote to approve a Memorandum of Understanding that includes about $68 million in land and infrastructure improvements to the site. These commitments, along with a commitment from the Creative Village private developer, total more than $75 million.
The university also is contributing $20 million from its resources toward the new academic building and asking the state for an additional $20 million to fund construction.
Pending approvals, the campus will open in fall 2018. UCF Downtown will offer students an innovative learning environment within walking distance of a wide array of internship and job opportunities in fields such as digital media, communication, public service and health-related programs. UCF will share the campus with Valencia College, which will offer programs in digital media, health information technology and culinary and hospitality, including workforce training and other certificates to increase access to education in the immediate downtown area.