UCF wins another budget prize: $8 million for Defense building

Posted on April 29, 2014 in General News,

Orlando Sentinel Post
28 Apr 2014

Less than a day after winning $2 million to plan a future campus in downtown Orlando, the University of Central Florida on Monday afternoon landed another prize from lawmakers finalizing next year’s state budget: $8 million to begin designing a fourth building in the Central Florida Research Park.

Supporters of the project – which would be the fourth building in the research park and carries a total estimated price tag of $60 million – say it would help ensure that the U.S. Department of Defense doesn’t pull operations out of the Orlando area amid budget cuts. UCF would share the 200,000 to 300,000 square-foot complex with Defense agencies, allowing the research park’s current military commands to move out of space it is currently leasing and saving the Pentagon on rent.

“It’s an effort to try to solidify their presence here and hopefully even expand their presence,” said UCF lobbyist Dan Holensbeck.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/blogs/political-pulse/os-ucf-wins-an…