UNF Campus Construction Update
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1341674278_Ch2mz2J-L.jpg)
The University of North Florida is in an extreme construction phase this summer. Rebuilding some facilities from the ground up, while building new additions of others, the school is pulling out all the stops to maximize its potential and attract future students. Here's a look at how UNF is continuously making up for what it lacks - and yes, that would be a football team.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-unf-campus-construction-update
Yeah and I have been noticing the crews preparing for the new dining facility. No idea on the design, but it looks like they are extending the docks into the surrounding pond. Hope to see what it will look like soon.
Gotta love what UNF is doing these days. I can barely recognize the campus anymore from what it used to look like back when I graduated in 2002. Wishful thinking, but it would be nice if they could roll some of that expansion over into Downtown. UNF was already tough to find parking at back in 02. I know it REALLY has to be a pain now.
Wow. Big things happening there!
If you think it has changed since 2002 you should see the difference between now and 1986.
yeah that's wild. glad to see them growing. it would cool if they can bring some growth to downtown via there acquisition of MOCA or something.
Go UNF! It always make me proud to see this university staying stable and grow as it should be unlike UCF. There was a mass exodus of students from UCF going to UNF, USF, UWF, because of the poor education UCF was pertaining due to an extremely lighting fast growth at UCF back in 2004-2006.
For the parking situation at UNF, that is actually resolved finally in 2008, when they opened up the Lot 18 with the Osprey Connector shuttles. I personally think parking aren't issues anymore these days. If you can get to the campus like 30 mins early before your class, I can guarantee you will make to the class by 5mins before.
I believe after this major construction phase in this Summer 2011, they will continue the construction of new parking garage at Lot 18, in addition to the new atheltic sport complex including the baseball fields.
I am completely against using the student's funds to build the Greek houses on the outskirt of the campus. A good case is the UCF's Greek houses. Half of them are in poor condition including wood trims, property damage, extremely poor landscape maintenance. If you are going to build the Greeks houses using UNF's student funds, the Greeks themselves has to use their money to pay for maintenance which they lack therefore cause the value of UNF Student's funds to be in vain.The UNF Greek already have their own office and facilities on the campus they can easily share.
Again I am proud to be UNF alumni and will always try to support the university. I certainly hope there will not be any football team for UNF because it will tarnish the education quality on the campus.
-Josh
A lazy river? That's insane! If I had known there was a lazy river, no way I would've gone to school up north.
Also, it says "evolution" on that building. I sure hope they're not teaching that baloney in the science department.
Quote from: PeeJayEss on June 24, 2011, 08:58:17 AM
A lazy river? That's insane! If I had known there was a lazy river, no way I would've gone to school up north.
Also, it says "evolution" on that building. I sure hope they're not teaching that baloney in the science department.
Welcome to my little osprey nest on this thread.
Yes, there is a "lazy river", but as reported by my fellow student peers, it is not really like the real lazy river. It is basically a pool with redirected channel, not the high speed full swinging channel like you go to a water park. It is a buzz word for this Osprey Fountain. Lot of students reported that Osprey Fountain is like a prison in terms of its appearance, security cameras everywhere, and the tightness. It is no where near like Home Sweet Home feeling.
Every campus on this planet such like high regard universities always allow all walks of life to share their insights including religious and science teaching. I am sure the word, "evolution" is just one part of the campus, which doesn't really mean it represent the entire university as a heavily science institution. Honestly, you got me fooled or I don't see that name anywhere in the photos.
-Josh
Without SCAD, Savannah would be a crumbling ghost town. SCAD seems to occupy every other building there.
The more UNF could move into our downtown the better. What they've done at MOCA has been great. I hope it is only the beginning.
Great story! I see this stuff everyday, but looking at all these projects together really puts into perspective how much has changed at UNF.
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
Look at the UNF Master Plan on the website. It is amazing how much will be added in buildout 1925 ish
here it is: http://www.unf.edu/masterplan/
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on June 24, 2011, 10:04:52 AM
It is amazing how much will be added in buildout 1925 ish
We're in a new century now, honey. ;D
So excited for all of these new buildings at UNF! Each one is essential to the school's growth and enhancing the experience for students.
Here's a link about the new dining facility:
http://www.unf.edu/ia/pr/marketing_publications/inside/2011/May_2011.aspx#Growing%20pains%20meet%20hunger%20pangs
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 09:52:29 AM
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
The school currently owns a bunch of land to the east of Kernan. They own everything between between Kernan and First Coast Tech parkway (where the old AOL building, now UNF Hall, is located). The eventual plan is to re-route Kernan along the First Coast Tech Parkway.
I'm not sure what their future plans for expansion are, landwise. There's still some available land to the north of where they currently are.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 10:35:01 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 09:52:29 AM
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
The school currently owns a bunch of land to the east of Kernan. They own everything between between Kernan and First Coast Tech parkway (where the old AOL building, now UNF Hall, is located). The eventual plan is to re-route Kernan along the First Coast Tech Parkway.
I'm not sure what their future plans for expansion are, landwise. There's still some available land to the north of where they currently are.
What would be the point of re-routing Kernan?
They would re-route Kernan so that it went on the other side of the old AOL building. This way that building and the land around it would be a more connected part of the university campus, rather than having it split by the heavy traficced road.
Re-routing Kernan to First Coast Technology Parkway would allow UNF to have greater control of the road that would split right through the to-be- acquired property. Thus, UNF could make it more pedestrian friendly, add signage, and cut down on non-UNF traffic. The plan is to have campus housing on the east side of Kernan in the future.
Quote from: Lucasjj on June 24, 2011, 10:51:02 AM
They would re-route Kernan so that it went on the other side of the old AOL building. This way that building and the land around it would be a more connected part of the university campus, rather than having it split by the heavy traficced road.
Quote from: tg on June 24, 2011, 10:53:33 AM
Re-routing Kernan to First Coast Technology Parkway would allow UNF to have greater control of the road that would split right through the to-be- acquired property. Thus, UNF could make it more pedestrian friendly, add signage, and cut down on non-UNF traffic. The plan is to have campus housing on the east side of Kernan in the future.
But wouldn't people still take the old Kernan?
Potentially, they haven't released any renderings of what changes would be made to Kernan/First Coast Technology Pkwy other than changing the street names. If there was a substantial change in the roadway in which the "new" Kernan seems like the more desired or public way to get to and from JTB, I think it could work. I wouldn't mind seeing a pedestrian bridge over the road if that proves to be unfeasible.
The new residence hall kind of looks like an Assisted Living Facility...
^FCTP would become Kernan. The current stretch of Kernan south of FCTP and north of JTB would become an internal UNF road, like Alumni Drive.
This way, the land will be contiguous, and not split by a publicly traversed road. Additionally, the city will be able to widen that stretch of future Kernan to six lanes. They haven't expanded the part of Kernan south of FCTP and north of JTB largely due to this development. North of FCTP, Kernan has already been widened.
With this done, UNF will be able to expand into First Coast Technology Park, rather than it becoming another office park or other haphazard private development.
Here's an article about it from the FTU, from before UNF acquired the land.
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/083008/nes_324487498.shtml
Glad to see they are doing well!!
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 11:12:09 AM
^FCTP would become Kernan. The current stretch of Kernan south of FCTP and north of JTB would become an internal UNF road, like Alumni Drive.
This way, the land will be contiguous, and not split by a publicly traversed road. Additionally, the city will be able to widen that stretch of future Kernan to six lanes. They haven't expanded the part of Kernan south of FCTP and north of JTB largely due to this development. North of FCTP, Kernan has already been widened.
With this done, UNF will be able to expand into First Coast Technology Park, rather than it becoming another office park or other haphazard private development.
Here's an article about it from the FTU, from before UNF acquired the land.
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/083008/nes_324487498.shtml
But why do they want to expand so far away from the main campus if they have plenty of space to expand on?
There are actually a lot of restrictions within the core of campus about where they can build due to the environmental preserve. Check out the last page of this article: http://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/aa/ecenter/SS%20Designation.pdf
The areas surrounded in pink are not allowed to be built on.
Quote from: iMarvin on June 24, 2011, 11:04:30 AM
Quote from: Lucasjj on June 24, 2011, 10:51:02 AM
They would re-route Kernan so that it went on the other side of the old AOL building. This way that building and the land around it would be a more connected part of the university campus, rather than having it split by the heavy traficced road.
Quote from: tg on June 24, 2011, 10:53:33 AM
Re-routing Kernan to First Coast Technology Parkway would allow UNF to have greater control of the road that would split right through the to-be- acquired property. Thus, UNF could make it more pedestrian friendly, add signage, and cut down on non-UNF traffic. The plan is to have campus housing on the east side of Kernan in the future.
But wouldn't people still take the old Kernan?
I don't think so. It would only be two lanes and would have a red light when it meets the existing Kernan. The "new Kernan" would be a multi-lane road.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 10:35:01 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 09:52:29 AM
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
The school currently owns a bunch of land to the east of Kernan. They own everything between between Kernan and First Coast Tech parkway (where the old AOL building, now UNF Hall, is located). The eventual plan is to re-route Kernan along the First Coast Tech Parkway.
I'm not sure what their future plans for expansion are, landwise. There's still some available land to the north of where they currently are.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 10:35:01 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 09:52:29 AM
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
The school currently owns a bunch of land to the east of Kernan. They own everything between between Kernan and First Coast Tech parkway (where the old AOL building, now UNF Hall, is located). The eventual plan is to re-route Kernan along the First Coast Tech Parkway.
I'm not sure what their future plans for expansion are, landwise. There's still some available land to the north of where they currently are.
What land to the north?
It's great that they have something in place that will force density. Unfortunately at least on the southern end they are prevented from integrating with the community around them.
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 12:10:07 PM
Quote from: iMarvin on June 24, 2011, 11:04:30 AM
Quote from: Lucasjj on June 24, 2011, 10:51:02 AM
They would re-route Kernan so that it went on the other side of the old AOL building. This way that building and the land around it would be a more connected part of the university campus, rather than having it split by the heavy traficced road.
Quote from: tg on June 24, 2011, 10:53:33 AM
Re-routing Kernan to First Coast Technology Parkway would allow UNF to have greater control of the road that would split right through the to-be- acquired property. Thus, UNF could make it more pedestrian friendly, add signage, and cut down on non-UNF traffic. The plan is to have campus housing on the east side of Kernan in the future.
But wouldn't people still take the old Kernan?
I don't think so. It would only be two lanes and would have a red light when it meets the existing Kernan. The "new Kernan" would be a multi-lane road.
Well I guess it all depends on the person. If the light to go straight was green, I would go straight. If it was red, I guess I would turn.
Quote from: tg on June 24, 2011, 12:06:58 PM
There are actually a lot of restrictions within the core of campus about where they can build due to the environmental preserve. Check out the last page of this article: http://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/aa/ecenter/SS%20Designation.pdf
The areas surrounded in pink are not allowed to be built on.
I'll have to look at it later. I'm using my phone.
^Again, FCTP would be Kernan. That would be the straight shot, you'd have to make a right turn to get onto the current run of Kernan and onto campus. If you look at a map, that current stretch of Kernan isn't straight now, it bends west.
And yes, TG's right, a big chunk of UNF's property is preserved wetlands we can't (or at least won't) build on. There are also connected areas such as Lake Oneida that currently house nature trails, picnic areas, etc., that we also won't be building on.
There's some more space in the "core campus" for future classroom buildings and the like, but there wouldn't be enough room for larger projects such as housing, fraternity/sorority housing, or expanded sports facilities (yes, like a football stadium), for example. At any rate there's not going to be immediate development on most of the new land; it's to prepare for the future.
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 24, 2011, 09:10:50 AM
Quote from: PeeJayEss on June 24, 2011, 08:58:17 AM
A lazy river? That's insane! If I had known there was a lazy river, no way I would've gone to school up north.
Also, it says "evolution" on that building. I sure hope they're not teaching that baloney in the science department.
Welcome to my little osprey nest on this thread.
Yes, there is a "lazy river", but as reported by my fellow student peers, it is not really like the real lazy river. It is basically a pool with redirected channel, not the high speed full swinging channel like you go to a water park. It is a buzz word for this Osprey Fountain. Lot of students reported that Osprey Fountain is like a prison in terms of its appearance, security cameras everywhere, and the tightness. It is no where near like Home Sweet Home feeling.
Every campus on this planet such like high regard universities always allow all walks of life to share their insights including religious and science teaching. I am sure the word, "evolution" is just one part of the campus, which doesn't really mean it represent the entire university as a heavily science institution. Honestly, you got me fooled or I don't see that name anywhere in the photos.
-Josh
Ha, yes, it does say "evolution" on the biology building, among other things. And yes, they'll be teaching about it there, this being the biology building and all.
Quote from: iMarvin on June 24, 2011, 12:32:41 PM
Well I guess it all depends on the person. If the light to go straight was green, I would go straight. If it was red, I guess I would turn.
I am sure most people will take the six lane road with a higher speed limit over the two lane road with the lower speed limit and red light at the end.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 02:50:46 PM
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 24, 2011, 09:10:50 AM
Quote from: PeeJayEss on June 24, 2011, 08:58:17 AM
A lazy river? That's insane! If I had known there was a lazy river, no way I would've gone to school up north.
Also, it says "evolution" on that building. I sure hope they're not teaching that baloney in the science department.
Welcome to my little osprey nest on this thread.
Yes, there is a "lazy river", but as reported by my fellow student peers, it is not really like the real lazy river. It is basically a pool with redirected channel, not the high speed full swinging channel like you go to a water park. It is a buzz word for this Osprey Fountain. Lot of students reported that Osprey Fountain is like a prison in terms of its appearance, security cameras everywhere, and the tightness. It is no where near like Home Sweet Home feeling.
Every campus on this planet such like high regard universities always allow all walks of life to share their insights including religious and science teaching. I am sure the word, "evolution" is just one part of the campus, which doesn't really mean it represent the entire university as a heavily science institution. Honestly, you got me fooled or I don't see that name anywhere in the photos.
-Josh
Ha, yes, it does say "evolution" on the biology building, among other things. And yes, they'll be teaching about it there, this being the biology building and all.
-rubs my eyes- Ah damn my monitor! I see it now.
What's wrong with evolution? Creationism is a crock of s*** that has barely any evidence to support its theory.
-Josh
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 24, 2011, 03:47:25 PM
-rubs my eyes- Ah damn my monitor! I see it now.
What's wrong with evolution? Creationism is a crock of s*** that has barely any no evidence to support its theory.
-Josh
I fixed that for you.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 02:46:58 PM
^Again, FCTP would be Kernan. That would be the straight shot, you'd have to make a right turn to get onto the current run of Kernan and onto campus. If you look at a map, that current stretch of Kernan isn't straight now, it bends west.
You're talking about the north intersection right? Well, not factoring in speed, if both lights were green, you would have to turn left to stay on Kernan. You would go straight to turn on FCTP. That is if the roads are changed.
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 03:43:46 PM
Quote from: iMarvin on June 24, 2011, 12:32:41 PM
Well I guess it all depends on the person. If the light to go straight was green, I would go straight. If it was red, I guess I would turn.
I am sure most people will take the six lane road with a higher speed limit over the two lane road with the lower speed limit and red light at the end.
Ok
Quote from: iMarvin on June 24, 2011, 04:59:36 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 02:46:58 PM
^Again, FCTP would be Kernan. That would be the straight shot, you'd have to make a right turn to get onto the current run of Kernan and onto campus. If you look at a map, that current stretch of Kernan isn't straight now, it bends west.
You're talking about the north intersection right? Well, not factoring in speed, if both lights were green, you would have to turn left to stay on Kernan. You would go straight to turn on FCTP. That is if the roads are changed.
Sorry, I was talking about going south. Going south, you'd go straight through the light to stay on the 6-lane "new Kernan". You'd take a right to head into campus via "old Kernan". Coming north from JTB, you'd go straight to stay on new Kernan and would have to make a left to take "old Kernan" into the campus.
To get a visual take a look at the master plan when you get a chance (page 8).
http://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/anf/masterplan/2010_-_2020_Master_Plan/SMALL%20REDUCED110110_UNF_Final%20Report_v10.pdf
As I say, Kernan currently isn't straight there; it bends west. But people recognize it as the natural run of Kernan Blvd.; most people don't veer off onto FCTP if the light's red. The rerouting would make Kernan bend east, but it would still be the natural run of Kernan. I doubt any more people would veer off onto old Kernan than currently veer off onto FCTP.
Quote from: billy on June 24, 2011, 12:22:34 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 10:35:01 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 09:52:29 AM
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
The school currently owns a bunch of land to the east of Kernan. They own everything between between Kernan and First Coast Tech parkway (where the old AOL building, now UNF Hall, is located). The eventual plan is to re-route Kernan along the First Coast Tech Parkway.
I'm not sure what their future plans for expansion are, landwise. There's still some available land to the north of where they currently are.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 10:35:01 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on June 24, 2011, 09:52:29 AM
I'm always impressed by the continued expansion at UNF. I would like to see them keep expanding out into Kernan also.
And yes, I would love to see a UNF football program someday.
The school currently owns a bunch of land to the east of Kernan. They own everything between between Kernan and First Coast Tech parkway (where the old AOL building, now UNF Hall, is located). The eventual plan is to re-route Kernan along the First Coast Tech Parkway.
I'm not sure what their future plans for expansion are, landwise. There's still some available land to the north of where they currently are.
What land to the north?
There's a strip of land along Kernan abutting the residential development. It's more northeast than north. And by "available" i mean it's undeveloped; it is obviously owned. I haven't heard why UNF hasn't tried to buy it, if it would even be worth it and if the owner would sell it.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 05:36:01 PM
Quote from: iMarvin on June 24, 2011, 04:59:36 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on June 24, 2011, 02:46:58 PM
^Again, FCTP would be Kernan. That would be the straight shot, you'd have to make a right turn to get onto the current run of Kernan and onto campus. If you look at a map, that current stretch of Kernan isn't straight now, it bends west.
You're talking about the north intersection right? Well, not factoring in speed, if both lights were green, you would have to turn left to stay on Kernan. You would go straight to turn on FCTP. That is if the roads are changed.
Sorry, I was talking about going south. Going south, you'd go straight through the light to stay on the 6-lane "new Kernan". You'd take a right to head into campus via "old Kernan". Coming north from JTB, you'd go straight to stay on new Kernan and would have to make a left to take "old Kernan" into the campus.
To get a visual take a look at the master plan when you get a chance (page 8).
http://www.unf.edu/uploadedFiles/anf/masterplan/2010_-_2020_Master_Plan/SMALL%20REDUCED110110_UNF_Final%20Report_v10.pdf
As I say, Kernan currently isn't straight there; it bends west. But people recognize it as the natural run of Kernan Blvd.; most people don't veer off onto FCTP if the light's red. The rerouting would make Kernan bend east, but it would still be the natural run of Kernan. I doubt any more people would veer off onto old Kernan than currently veer off onto FCTP.
Actually, you WOULD have to turn right to go onto Kernan coming from JTB. If you kept going straight you would be on FCTP. (if the road changed)
EDIT: After looking at the master plan realignment, I noticed the change. The road would continue straight and you would have to turn left for FCTP. You were right.