Students can’t live on campus at USF Sarasota-Manatee. A land donation could change that
Students at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee stand to see their college experience get a big lift, after Manatee County government agreed to donate land for a campus expansion.
The donation could bring USFSM one step closer to a campus expansion that finally includes two dorms for on-campus living.
The county-owned Powel Crosley Estate already shares a close partnership with the university. That’s part of the reason why the Board of County Commissioners unanimously agreed to break off a 9-acre piece of the land for USFSM’s benefit at a meeting Tuesday.
“I’m very excited that this is in my district. I just can dream of so many things that are going to happen as a result of your investment here. It really is very exciting,” said Commissioner Misty Servia. “I know that student housing is key, so I’m really glad that’s coming to fruition.”
The donation comes out to more than half of the Estate’s total acreage, but the two areas will remain separate thanks to a fence that will match the historic mansion’s architecture. Similar walls are also planned to the north and south to create separation from the adjacent neighborhoods.
“It’s so critical to make sure this is the right plan for the right land,” said Karen Holbrook, USFSM’s regional chancellor.
Along with two dormitories, USFSM wants to build a Hospitality Academic Lab and a student life quad on the land, just west of the existing campus in the 8300 block of U.S. 41, according to a conceptual plan. There are also plans for a large stormwater pond, an additional flat-surface parking lot and a north-south multi-modal trail that connects to the Ringling Museum.
Byron Shinn, chairman of USFSM’s Campus Board, told commissioners that the donation could take the campus to the next level.
“As you know, we have been striving to become a traditional campus to attract those students who are otherwise leaving the community, so they can stick around and finish their higher education here. This only elevates our workforce,” Shinn said.
Those dorms would also attract out-of-town students who are interested in attending USFSM but often recoil at the lack of on-campus living quarters.
“Students want to come here, but when they start asking about housing, the conversation gets short really, really quickly,” Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said during a presentation Tuesday.
“We need a really good, solid four-year university with housing,” he added.
A dedicated hospitality center would also be a huge boon, Shinn explained. The university recently accepted applications for the hospitality program and heard from 150 qualified students. Limited by space on the campus, however, only 30 students could be accepted.
There’s also potential for USFSM students to get real-world experience in the industry by participating with vendors at the Crosley Mansion.
“Boy, to have that future hospitality school there, geographically positioned to the Crosley Mansion where we can utilize students hands on to the events — the caterers can use students hands on while they’re facilitating food, and they can get the necessary hours in the workplace for their training as well,” Falcione noted.
Commissioners said they had no issue with donating the wooded land to USFSM, and hoped the project would lead to more redevelopment along that stretch of U.S. 41.
“I know this land will be a great asset to the school, and I’m glad that Manatee County could do this for you,” said Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
“I think it’s a great project because I hope it starts the continued revitalization of that whole south trail,” Commissioner Stephen Jonsson added.
The donation agreement that commissioners voted on will allow USFSM to spend up to $100,000 on due diligence and surveys before providing a land use agreement that the county will need to approve again at a later date. University officials will also host two public meetings for community feedback before they finalize a master plan.
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
