JU investing in Arlington area, considering expanding Downtown

[thelakelander]

Sounds like boost for Arlington and Downtown....

Jacksonville University President Tim Cost is expanding the boundaries of the school's campus, literally and figuratively.

Cost, who took the helm of the 80-year-old liberal arts school more than a year ago in February 2013, is considering acquiring property south, north, east and northeast of the 198-acre riverfront Arlington campus. He also is working with city leaders on the appearance and safety of the neighborhood surrounding the school.

Cost also is in the early stages of considering moving some graduate-level programs Downtown. "The opportunity for JU Downtown is attractive," he said, specifying the location might be more applicable for graduate-level functions.

He did not have details of a Downtown presence, but a move there would be a homecoming. JU was founded in 1934 in Downtown as a junior college offering night classes. It soon became a four-year, co-ed institution and moved to Arlington in the early 1950s.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=542719

[NativeDigs]

excellent news!

[fieldafm]

Our community is a better place because Tim Cost chose to take on the task of JU.  He is a DYNAMIC leader who could literally be anywhere else in the world. 

[FSBA]

As part of the Laura Street Trio project, perhaps?

[Tacachale]

This is a great move for JU and Arlington, and for Downtown if they end up going in that direction. Good to see.

[IrvAdams]

I went to that school back in the day. It was then and is now a huge and important presence in the old Arlington neighborhood. They have always been good at giving back. Good culture and sports programs. And sensitive to river issues. Way to go, JU.

[Noone]

Very positive.

[spuwho]

Bringing any higher education presence into the city center is a plus.

I had to drop from a masters program once because they moved the classes out of the city (Chicago) to Timbuktu, Egypt where there was no transit available and I couldn't reach the remote campus by car in time.