The University of North Florida (UNF) has solidified its vision for the next decade after the Board of Trustees approved the institution’s 2025 to 2035 Campus Master Plan.
The plan represents the definitive roadmap for the university’s efforts to accommodate projected student population growth over the next 10 years, establishing the needed infrastructure and services needed to elevate the campus experience and realize a fully transformed university. Serving as a comprehensive blueprint, the plan details a litany of projects centered around creating new academic spaces, recreation opportunities, research, housing, mobility and safety.
Among the major additions included in the plan, UNF will build a series of new academic and research buildings. This includes an innovation district along the south side of the campus providing research and partnership space, as well as a mixed-use research facility adjacent to the Amphitheater. Additional featured academic buildings include the Student Success Center, Behavioral Sciences Building and John. E. Mathews Jr. Computer Science Building expansion.
New housing projects would provide enough boarding for an additional 25% of new students ot live on campus. The housing – alongside a proposed Greek housing village – would offer numerous amenities to students.
To ensure all buildings are on-par with contemporary construction standards and building codes, UNF will renovate several existing facilities in need of significant updates. The university will implement a number of infrastructure improvements to ensure all buildings are adequately served, such as installing new electrical circuits.
The university’s athletics program and offerings will be a major beneficiary through the Campus Master Plan. Plans will revolve around renovating existing facilities while simultaneously building new structures. These projects will include:
- Expanding stadiums and arenas.
- Converting a stadium to accommodate football.
- Building a football practice field.
- Establishing multi-purpose recreation fields.
- Constructing an athletics support facility.
- Building a baseball stadium with a support facility.
- Building a soccer and track field alongside a field stadium.
- Building additional soccer fields with an athletics stadium.
- Creating a track and field practice area.
- Building a softball stadium addition.
The university will build an add-on to the wellness complex to expand its offerings, providing indoor recreation amenities and a larger space for Student Health Services and the Counseling Center. The Campus Master Plan also prioritizes expanding open space and community attractions. Alongside a greater focus on natural space, the university will develop attractive areas such as a museum, hotel, shops or restaurants to draw in the local community.
Several projects will emphasize improved mobility and connectivity through pedestrian infrastructure improvements. The work will include building boardwalks, better crosswalks and improved wayfinding. Additional infrastructure improvements slated for construction include a storage facility, preschool expansion, eco adventure facility, police expansion, dining areas, a greenhouse and a roundabout.
Photo by University of Illinois Library, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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