The University of Central Florida (UCF) has received another $1.5 million donation for its plans to build a campus in downtown Orlando.
The university says Florida Hospital's gift will help pay for building an academic facility that will serve as the centerpiece of the downtown campus.
The donation comes a few weeks after two other local institutions—the Orlando Magic basketball team and CFE Federal Credit Union—each pledged $1.5 million toward the planned construction.
The facility is projected to cost $60 million: One-third will come from community support; the university will contribute $20 million; and it is seeking a $20 million allocation from the state.
The downtown campus would serve about 7,700 students from the university and Valencia College. The university says the new campus will offer students a learning environment within walking distance of many internship and job opportunities in fields such as digital media, communication, public service and health-related programs.
“UCF’s downtown campus will give future health care professionals a running start in the real world because of its proximity to business, research, and direct health care activities,” says Daryl Tol, Florida Hospital President and CEO.
University leaders will present plans for the campus next month to the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system. If the plan is approved, the campus is scheduled to open in fall 2018.