The University of North Florida is at the end of a year-long process to develop a master plan for its campus in South Jacksonville.
The UNF board of trustees is scheduled to review the plan at its meeting at 9 a.m. Nov. 17 at the Adam W. Herbert University Center.
A draft of the plan says its mission is to “provide a bold, flexible and innovative roadmap for the next decade of physical improvements on campus that implements the vision of the Strategic Plan. This plan will align efforts campus-wide, optimize resources, elevate the campus experience for all, integrate with the natural environment and engage the broader community.”
The draft says the plan “represents an ambitious vision for the long term future of the Main Campus” and is based on a 2034-35 projected enrollment of 25,643 students. In fall 2024, the most recent year enrollment data is available, 16,321 students were enrolled at UNF.
The plan proposes a mixed-use research building near the existing amphitheater with a new Innovation District on the southern edge of the 1,300-acre campus northeast of Interstate 295 and Butler Boulevard. The new district would be public-facing and could include community attractions such as a museum, hotel, retail or restaurant space and local businesses to draw the community to the campus.
Also in the plan are new residence halls that will allow 25% of future students to live on campus. A Greek housing village is proposed along Osprey Ridge Road.
Athletics facilities are proposed to be renovated and new facilities constructed with the long-term goal of establishing a football program.
Proposed new boardwalks and better way-finding will help ensure that the campus remains pedestrian-focused as it becomes more dense, the plan states.
UNF said the plan was developed with input from faculty and students and meets the requirements of the State University System. Comments from government agencies and the public are incorporated into the final report that will be presented to the trustees.