About $75 million in renovations and reconstruction at the Reitz Union will begin soon.
Fencing and barricades are around the colonnade in preparation for its demolition, scheduled for the end of July, said executive director Eddie Daniels. The foundation for a new addition will be constructed in October.
The infrastructure being built in place of the colonnade will go up to the third floor. It will connect the Constans Theatre to the doors of the Reitz Union. The new union will be about 90,000 square feet larger, Daniels said.
“One of the things we want this building to be is uniquely UF,” he said.
Cannon Design and Joe Walker architects are heading the project. Surveys, focus groups and meetings were conducted to ask students, staff and faculty for input before the design process began.
“Instead of closed-off spaces, the Reitz will be more open, allowing students to collaborate, network and get involved,” Student Body President Christina Bonarrigo wrote in an email. “It’s truly a facility for the way we socialize and engage with one another.”
The Reitz Union was built in 1967 when the school had about 20,000 students and 150 clubs and organizations, Daniels said. UF now has about 50,000 students and more than 950 clubs and organizations.
“The Reitz was originally built for 19,000 students,” Bonarrigo said. “More than 20,000 students use the facility every day.”
Planned changes include a new-and-improved Orange & Brew, more study spaces and dance studios.
“The design presents an interesting new direction in the architecture of the campus by stepping away from the brick aesthetic that our campus is so well-recognized for without completely abandoning its roots,” said 22-year-old UF alumnus Mark Dunn.
Discussion for renovations began in 2008. In 2009, engineers surveyed the Reitz Union. Their report showed about $42 million worth of deferred maintenance issues.
“Some of the systems in this building are over 45 years old,” Daniels said, “Like some of the plumbing, the electrical and some of the HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] equipment. We knew there were some pretty critical issues there that needed to be dealt with.”
The project is to be completed in Fall 2015, but the Reitz Union will continue to operate during reconstruction.
“I look forward to the changes,” said UF 20-year-old nursing junior and Reitz Union worker Carolyn Harnish. “However, all the in-between, the construction, the demolition — it’s going to be quite a pain.”
Student fees will not be increased, Daniels said. The only money being used from students is existing activity and service fees.
“This is going to be just a great, great building once it’s done,” he said.
