Two architectural firms are visiting UF this week to assess the Reitz Union's future.
Representatives from Gould Evans Architects of Tampa, Fla., and WTW Architects of Pittsburgh, Pa., will be here Monday to Thursday to start the planning process.
"We know we have outgrown the space," said Eddie Daniels, executive director of the Reitz Union. "The need assessment is the first step, and that's the process we're about to undertake."
The 42-year-old building is quickly becoming unable to meet the needs of the about 50,000 students who attend UF and has several maintenance problems.
The representatives will review the facilities and meet with various faculty and administration members who represent some of the union's services, like food service and the UF Bookstore.
Students have the opportunity to meet with the team in two open forums. The first is 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, and the second is 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.
Both will take place in the Matthews Suite on the fourth floor of the union.
The team is scheduled to return again in December and January for another round of surveying and focus groups.
The firms are expected to finish developing a conceptual design for a renovated or expanded Reitz Union in February 2010.
