August 2020
Demolition Begins for the Blount Center Expansion Project
Gainesville, Florida – Last October, Santa Fe College leaders held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the expansion of the Blount Center in downtown Gainesville. This week, the next major step in the project commenced as construction crews began the demolition of structures on the college’s property located at the northwest corner of West University Avenue and North Sixth Street, including SF’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED).
Once demolition is completed, construction will begin on a three-story 87,366 square-foot facility that will become the Blount Hall. The new facility will become the new home for the college’s Business and IT degree programs and will offer students a full array of student services, transforming the location into a comprehensive downtown campus. Students will be able to access admissions, financial aid, academic advising as well as a library and study spaces for both small and larger groups of students. The Blount Campus will also provide a convenient location for underserved communities in the city of Gainesville to access higher education opportunities in high-demand, high-wage fields of study.
Funding for the project comes from both the private and public sector, including more than $13 million in state funding, a $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and $1 million in private support. Funding from the EDA will specifically be used for the expansion of the CIED’s business incubation space for local entrepreneurs in order to strengthen the region’s economy and provide students the opportunity to work and learn from local start-up companies and business leaders.
October 2019
Santa Fe College Holds Groundbreaking for New Blount Campus Expansion
Gainesville, Florida – Santa Fe College will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Blount Center, located at the northwest corner of West University Avenue and North Sixth Street in Gainesville.
Once completed, the three-story 86,311 square-foot building will become the Blount Campus, complete with classrooms, lab suites and related student support and service areas. The new Blount Campus will also more than double the business incubation space for SF’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED). The CIED not only provides an array of services to local entrepreneurs, but the expanded space will also give students the opportunity to work with and learn from area business leaders.
“The new Blount Campus will be the shining star in downtown Gainesville’s renaissance,” said SF President Jackson Sasser. “It will serve our east Gainesville partners, the growing business and technology sectors and it will be a gathering place for entrepreneurs and artists. The relationship with our neighbors, the city of Gainesville and University of Florida friends inspire this Santa Fe investment.”
One of the goals of the project is to increase higher education opportunities for underserved communities in downtown and East Gainesville. Many of SF’s business and IT degree programs will move to the new facility, alleviating space concerns on the Northwest Campus and providing a convenient accessible location for high-demand high-wage programs in the heart of Gainesville.
“We really envision the Blount Center as an open resource for the community,” SF Provost Ed Bonahue said. “Whether folks are coming from the Pleasant Street or Porters communities, or from downtown or East Gainesville, we will offer everything from GED classes to bachelor’s degrees.”
Funding for the project comes from both the private and public sector, including a $4.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). That funding will go toward the expansion of the CIED to strengthen the regional economy from local start-up companies in the business incubator.
SF hired architecture firm Harvard Jolly is the architectural firm hired by the college to design the new facility. Harvard Jolly Senior Vice President and Principal, Philip Trezza, said the firm is excited for what the new facility will bring to the greater Gainesville community. “Harvard Jolly Architecture is proud and excited to see this day come for Santa Fe College,” said Trezza. “We are pleased to have designed this new facility to provide a variety of spaces where students and entrepreneurs will learn and collaborate for years to come. It will be a welcoming and vibrant destination that will connect with downtown Gainesville, the University of Florida as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.”
The new Blount Campus will provide a full array of student services, including help with applications, financial aid, academic advising. There will be a library, study spaces for both small and larger groups of students and common areas where students can relax between classes.
October 2018
PRESS RELEASE: Santa Fe College Announces Plans for Expanded Blount Campus Downtown Gainesville
October 19, 2018
Gainesville, Florida – Santa Fe College (SF) shared the vision for the new Blount Campus at a neighborhood workshop Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, President Jackson Sasser announced.
The three-story 86,311 square-foot building is expected to be completed in the spring of 2021. The $36.4 million SF Blount Campus will include classrooms, lab suites, business incubation spaces, related student support and service areas, and a second-floor terrace.
“Santa Fe College has made many investments for our students and communities,” SF President Sasser said. “None will have a more direct impact than the expansion of the downtown Gainesville campus. The facility will have the same services as the Northwest Campus, such as financial aid and library services. It will be our campus to address specifically the unacceptable poverty rates in East Gainesville. We are grateful for the support of our legislators and local donors.”
“There was so much groundwork, dreaming and vision that went into the fruition of what we’re seeing at the downtown campus,” said SF Board of Directors member Patsy Blount. “I think Charley [Blount] would be so pleased with the opportunity this will provide for students in an ongoing way for years and years to come. It will have an impact on the community, and I think there will be a synergistic relationship that will impact the college, Gainesville, the University and students.
The Blount Campus will be home to SF’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) incubator companies that will continue to contribute to the local economy and growth.
“With this expansion, the Blount Campus will become Santa Fe College’s comprehensive center for business and IT education, as well as entrepreneurship,” said Ed Bonahue, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at SF. “With the expansion of our business incubator and connections to local startups across the community, the new opportunities for SF students to train and work locally will be tremendous.”
The campus will help meet the educational needs of an underserved part of the district and will offer a full array of student services offices needed to serve an increasingly mobile student population seeking employment in an innovated economy.
Additional information, including conceptual renderings, are expected to be available in the spring of 2019.
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A neighborhood workshop will be held to discuss the expansion of an educational facility located on the northeast corner of University Avenue and 6th Street. The project will consist of one building, which will include classrooms, lab suites, business incubation spaces, and related student support and service areas. This is not a public hearing. The purpose of the workshop is to inform neighboring property owners and community stakeholders about the nature of the project and to seek comments.
Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Place: Santa Fe College Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED)
530 West University Avenue
DB-125
Gainesville, FL 32601
Contact: Rebecca Rogers, Director of Planning and Construction, Santa Fe College, 352-395-5174
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August 2018
A Neighborhood Workshop will be held to discuss the expansion of an educational facility located on the northeast corner of University Avenue and 6th Street. The project will consist of one building, which will include classrooms, lab suites, business incubation spaces, and related student support and service areas. This is not a public hearing. The purpose of the workshop is to inform neighboring property owners and community stakeholders about the nature of the project, and to seek comments.
Date: Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Place: Santa Fe College Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED)
530 West University Avenue
DB-125
Gainesville, FL 32601
Contact: Jessica Vander Biezen, Project Manager, Santa Fe College, 352-395-5556