Coral Gables Campus Poised For Transformation
After more than three years of negotiations, the Coral Gables City Commission unanimously approved all 22 amendments to the UM Campus Area Development Plan (UMCAD) on Tuesday, March 27, enabling the University to move forward on key construction initiatives that will transform the Coral Gables campus. The new projects are aimed at enhancing academic programs, providing a vibrant residential and student life experience, and raising the University's national rankings.
“The approval by the mayor and city commissioners of Coral Gables, based on the recommendation from the city manager, city attorney and planning director, is a ‘win-win’ for everyone—the neighbors, the city and the University,” says Sergio Rodriguez, who recently retired as vice president for real estate and facilities. “We now have a clearly defined blueprint to guide future development of the Coral Gables campus for the next 15 to 20 years, as well as commitments from the University to make improvements to alleviate any possible impacts in the area.”
Included in those amendments is a multiphase plan adding an interactive science center and College of Engineering research facility totaling 150,000 square feet of academic and research support space for the sciences.
The Frost School of Music will receive a facelift, replacing older facilities with updated teaching and rehearsal space. A new 80,000-square-foot theatre site with academic and performance space is also planned as well as an addition to the Lowe Art Museum that will house the Palley Glass Collection. The Whitten Learning Center will also receive a much needed renovation and replacement of its classroom buildings.
The Miguel B. Fernandez Family Entrepreneurship Building and Residential College designed by renowned architect Michael Graves will provide residential housing as well as enhanced academic additions to the School of Business Administration.
Two additional student residential projects located in the interior of campus are part of the UMCAD amendments. The Lakeview and Dickinson Student Housing sites, located south of Lake Osceola, will each provide 320,000 square feet of residential space.
Nearly 2,350 parking spaces will be added to accommodate new residents throughout campus, including a two-story addition to the existing Pavia Garage and an interim expansion of the Serpentine Parking Lot.
UMCAD plans call for a complete renovation and expansion of the Whitten University Center, providing 180,000 square feet of space for student services; office, lecture, and meeting rooms for student organizations; and dining, retail, and recreation facilities. The Wellness Center will also receive an 18,000-square-foot addition allowing for more space for exercise equipment.
The Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center will finally provide the extended UM family a place to call their own. The center will include meeting and conference rooms, a business center, and an outside patio and garden area for entertaining. The facility will also house Alumni Relations and the Annual Fund staff as well as University Communications and development offices.
