UF celebrates Eastside Campus Open House

November 28, 2005

WHO: The University of Florida will host an open house celebration for the new Eastside Campus at 2006 N.E. Waldo Road.

WHAT: Celebrating community and economic development partnerships between the University of Florida and Alachua County, an open house program will highlight the new UF Eastside Campus and the 12-acre property. The Eastside Campus will feature the Bridges Program Division; the College of Engineering, which will occupy other offices for education and outreach, including the Technology Transfer Center; the Powell Materials and Structures Laboratory; and the Civil and Coastal Engineering Center for Infrastructure Protection and Physical Security, which will serve as a focal point for homeland security related research at UF. The investment -- not including the Library storage area on N.E. 39th Avenue -- equals about $7 million in east Gainesville.

The UF Eastside Campus will staff more than 200 employees with high-tech, computing and accounting positions, while maintaining a community room as a way for organizations and other education institutions to collaborate with UF’s core mission of research, teaching and service for a global society.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 30, noon to 1 p.m.

WHERE: UF Eastside Campus, 2006 N.E. Waldo Road. Eastside Campus directions: Traveling from the University of Florida Main campus, drive east on University Avenue two miles. At Waldo Road and University Avenue, turn left and go north two miles. The UF Eastside Campus is on the left. Turn onto the campus. Parking and entrance to the building are in the rear.

Directional signs will guide you to the Sunshine Skyway Conference Room.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Florida Bridgewater-Alford at (352) 846-3903. A multiple connection box will be available for broadcast media.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: UF President Bernie Machen will bring greetings and remarks. Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan and other community officials will present greetings, remarks and proclamations. In addition, representatives from Bridges, the College of Engineering and the vice president’s Office for Finance and Administration will attend. Tours of the campus and Bridges facility will follow the program.