Media Advisory

UF‘s Historic Norman Hall Rehabilitation Project | Groundbreaking Ceremony | 2 p.m., March 23

WHAT:  Groundbreaking Ceremony for Historic Norman Hall Rehabilitation Project at UF

  • James W. Norman Hall, built in 1934, is the academic home of the UF College of Education
  • The event will include a “surprise appearance” by the UF marching band drum line (perhaps to drown out all the banging and hammering?), the traditional ceremonial dirt toss with golden shovels, a roster of dignitaries and a few brief speeches highlighting the colorful but impactful history of Norman Hall, and details about the top-to-bottom rehabilitation of the 84-year-old academic hall.

WHEN:  Friday, MARCH 23, 2018…….2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: UF Norman Hall plaza, SW 13th Street & 5th Avenue, Gainesville, Fla.

  • (The red-brick plaza outside the arched entrance located on the northwest corner of Old Norman, facing SW 13th Street)
  • Norman Hall was originally built in 1934 to house the college’s new P.K. Yonge K-12 Laboratory School, which it did until 1958 when P.K. Yonge moved a few blocks south to its own campus.
  • In 1957, the P.K. Yonge School building was renamed after James W. Norman, who served as dean of the College of Education from 1920-1941.
  • Norman Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Any repairs or construction on historic properties must be approved so any harm to them can be avoided or minimized.
  • The project’s first major phase is now underway. It involves emptying and vacating classrooms, labs and offices in the newer (1979) Norman Hall Annex wing, and relocating to other space elsewhere in the original Norman building or on the UF campus. In May, Old Norman occupants will make a similar move into temporary quarters during its makeover.

WHO:  

SPEAKERS scheduled include: UF President Kent Fuchs • UF Education Dean Glenn Good • Florida Congressman Ted Yoho • Former Florida Congressman John Mica (BAE ’67) • UF Trustee Anita Zucker (BAE ’72) • COE Associate Dean Tom Dana • Lead architect Joe Walker of Walker Architects

CONTACT

-- Kevin Coulson, media liaison, UFCOE Communications, 352-273-4370, kevincoulson@coe.ufl.edu

-- Tom Dana, associate dean, UF College of Education, 352-273-4134, tdana@coe.ufl.edu

BACKGROUND:

Although some early infrastructure work is already underway, this ceremony commemorates the official start of a long-waited, two-year construction project that will reinvigorate and transform the stately-but-aging Norman Hall. Last spring (2017), the Florida Legislature earmarked nearly $29 million in funding for the long-needed improvements. Another $3 million allocation will pay for the refurbishment of the Education Library annex, built in 1979. This project will be the first major restoration work on Norman Hall in the building’s 84-year history. 

The renovations and repairs will include an overhaul of the building’s infrastructure including new roof, windows, plumbing, electrical system, heating, ventilation and AC, and removal of asbestos and lead paint. The most exciting improvements, though, will be the addition of many student-centered features, such as technology upgrades, configurable classrooms and meeting spaces, more space for research, and electrical outlets to support student technology needs. Also, a roomy conference room be added for hosting symposia and guest speakers. The conference center will connect to a new café bakery in existing space now serving as the rear loading dock. The projected completion date for the work is September 2019, with plans for full occupancy and use by January 2020.

FAST FACTS:

  • Norman Hall was originally built in 1934 to house the college’s new P.K. Yonge K-12 Laboratory School, which it did until 1958 when P.K. Yonge moved a few blocks south to its own campus.
  • In 1957, the P.K. Yonge School building was renamed after James W. Norman, who served as dean of the College of Education from 1920-1941.
  • Norman Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Any repairs or construction on historic properties must be approved so any harm to them can be avoided or minimized.
  • The project’s first major phase is now underway. It involves emptying and vacating classrooms, labs and offices in the newer (1979) Norman Hall Annex wing, and relocating to other space elsewhere in the original Norman building or on the UF campus. In May, Old Norman occupants will make a similar move into temporary quarters during its makeover.

QUICK LINKS:

-- UF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HISTORY TIMELINE: https://education.ufl.edu/mission-history/ 

-- UF COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HOME PAGE:  https://education.ufl.edu/