JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida has officially selected an area in LaVilla near the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center as the site for the school’s new graduate campus in Jacksonville.
Action News Jax’s Ben Becker first reported Wednesday night that sources told him this would be the recommended spot.
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UF’s Board of Trustees Governance Committee approved a recommendation to select the site in its Thursday meeting.
LISTEN: Mayor Donna Deegan live on 104.5 WOKV celebrates LaVilla announcement.
During the meeting, the committee spoke about the site’s access to Interstate 95, the bus terminal, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority Skyway.
The site is in the heart of the Emerald Trail, which will run right through the center of the campus. The full board vote approving the 22-acre site will happen on Friday.
RELATED: Sources: Committee will pick the Prime Osborn area for downtown Jacksonville UF Graduate Campus
The school and the city have held talks for more than two years about the campus coming downtown, first under former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and then continuing under current Mayor Donna Deegan.
“We are excited to partner with the University of Florida to make this campus a reality,” Deegan said in a news release from the city. “The City of Jacksonville is committed to being on the cutting-edge of workforce development and building a thriving downtown where our citizens can learn, live, work, and play. This campus and the degrees that will be offered are another monumental step towards Jacksonville being a national leader in the industries that will shape our collective future.”
It’s a $250 million project that includes $150 million in funding from the state, $50 million from the city, and $50 million from private donors.
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“UF has a bold vision for our campus in Jacksonville. This will be a site that will give our students an opportunity to learn and thrive in a fast-growing city with incredible job opportunities,” University of Florida Board of Trustees Mori Hosseini said in the release. “Our goal is to create a national center of excellence and to bring our bright students to this forward-thinking city. We are grateful for our strong partnerships with the state, city, and community leaders – we are going to do big things together.”
The plan is for the first classes to begin in fall 2026. The Florida Semiconductor Institute will be located on the campus, which the city said has received $80 million in state funding and is expected to receive federal funds.
Degree offerings are currently being finalized, but the city said programs being considered include:
- Professional MBA program
- Master’s in Management with a concentration in AI
- Master’s in Engineering Management with a concentration in Data Analytics
- Master’s in Computer Science with concentrations in AI and Cybersecurity
- Master’s in the Study of Law
- Master’s in AI in Biomedical and Health Sciences.
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“Our expansion into Jacksonville is exciting, especially as new companies continue to move to the area and look to hire outstanding talent,” Interim UF President Kent Fuchs said in the release. “The workforce-oriented graduate programs we’ll be offering will help build tomorrow’s leaders and positively impact the state’s economy. Jacksonville – like UF – is on the forefront of innovation. This is a place where our students will create great change and help transform the industries of the future.”
The Deegan Administration will propose to the City Council $50 million in funding to span four years starting in the next fiscal year, the release from the city said. The $50 million committed by the City Council in spring 2023 is already budgeted.
The other finalist for the campus was the fairgrounds at the sports complex that is now owned by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan. With the campus off the table, that leaves the future of that site available for other development in the years to come such as a long-discussed entertainment district, although the renovation of EverBank Stadium will likely need to be completed first.
Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping issued the following statement on UF choosing LaVilla:
“On behalf of the Khan Family and the Jacksonville Jaguars, I congratulate and thank everyone who played a role in arriving at this decision. This is a moment of celebration for Shad and his family, as we trust it is for the University of Florida, its administration and faculty, and a new generation of University of Florida students who will advance their education here in Downtown Jacksonville.
“Growing Downtown Jacksonville to be a versatile center for commerce, education, entertainment and lifestyle is a priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars. With today’s news from the University of Florida on the location of their graduate studies campus and Florida Semiconductor Institute, our downtown is one step closer to that reality.
“The Khan Family is proud to have committed $5 million to the University of Florida for the Jacksonville campus, regardless of its downtown location. The campus will add critical programs in innovation, technology and biomedical sciences to perpetuate talent development and a career pipeline for Jacksonville, as well as create a vibrant footprint of academic and social activity in the city’s urban core for years to come.
“None of this happens without the University of Florida believing in Jacksonville. We are fortunate to have the support and vision of Board Chair Mori Husseini, trustee Patrick Zalupski from here in Jacksonville, and the entire Board of Trustees. Our partnership with the University of Florida is one that we immensely value and will help our community meet and exceed its potential.”
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