Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University of South Florida Polytechnic?
The University of South Florida Polytechnic (USFP) is Florida’s only polytechnic. It was established as part of the University of South Florida system in 1988 as the University of South Florida Lakeland, and founded to serve the citizens of Polk, Highlands, Hardee and eastern Hillsborough counties. It was rebranded as USFP in 2008. Like many polytechnics, USFP is focused on hands-on learning and developing new technologies and sciences, including nanotechnology, gerontology and new media. USFP offers more than 20 complete undergraduate and graduate degrees through the divisions of Applied Arts and Sciences, Business and Education.
Why does University of South Florida Polytechnic need a new campus?
Enrollment at The University of South Florida Polytechnic grew by 25 percent in the last year, and is projected to grow from its current enrollment of 4,229 students to up to 16,000 as demand may warrant. As a result, the school will need a dedicated campus with state-of-the-art facilities that provide the best setting for hands-on, skill-based learning for students.
USFP’s new campus also is designed to help further job creation and enhance educational opportunities in a crucial segment of Florida’s High Tech Corridor. USFP’s new campus will increase the school’s visibility along one of Central Florida’s main transportation and tourist routes between Tampa and Orlando, and raise the profile of the region as a technology incubator.
Who is Santiago Calatrava?
Santiago Calatrava is an award-winning architect, sculptor and structural engineer with offices in his hometown of Valencia, Spain, Zurich, Switzerland, and New York. Since completing his first commission for the design and construction of Zurich’s Stadelhofen Railway Station in 1983, Calatrava has received acclaim for his projects, including the Montjuic Communications Tower in Barcelona, Spain; the Turning Torso in Malmö, Sweden; the Athens Olympic Sports Center in Athens, Greece; and the Quadracci Pavilion of the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wis., his first project in the United States. Calatrava was commissioned to design the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub for Lower Manhattan in late 2003 and has numerous projects in progress throughout cities worldwide.
Why did USFP select Santiago Calatrava and not a local architect?
Our Architectural Selection Committee conducted an RFP and rigorous selection process that included local architects. Ultimately, Santiago Calatrava’s vision matched ours – to create a 21st century campus that attracts top talent and serves as a beacon for higher education in the state of Florida. Calatrava will partner with Tampa-based Alfonso Architects to execute the project. USF has executed a number of successful projects with Alfonso Architects.
Why is a world-famous architect like Santiago Calatrava interested in this project?
Santiago Calatrava attended a polytechnic in Spain before embarking on his career as an architect and artist. He sees many synergies between his background and what USFP is trying to accomplish with its campus, and is excited to be a part of USFP’s expansion. This project is also his first in the Southeast, as well as his first project for an institution of higher education in the U.S., so it offers an opportunity for Calatrava to make his mark in Florida.
Because of USFP’s proximity to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Florida Southern University in Lakeland – and the USF mascot, the bull (also Calatrava’s personal icon) – Calatrava also feels a personal connection to Lakeland, USF and this project.
Where is the new campus going to be built and how big is it going to be?
USFP’s new campus will be located at the intersection of Interstate-4 and Polk Parkway in North Lakeland – a little miles from its current shared campus with Polk State College.
The campus is positioned at the heart of Florida’s High Tech Corridor and will occupy 171.5 acres of a 550-acre parcel.
How was the new campus site selected?
The site was donated by the Williams Company in 2003, which meant USFP could inexpensively relocate to a piece of beautiful, virgin land and create the campus that fit our vision.
The selected location at the intersection of Interstate-4 and Polk Parkway in North Lakeland will offer increased visibility for USFP along one of Central Florida’s main transportation and tourist routes between Tampa and Orlando.
What do buildings from famous architects have to do with education?
A destination campus will attract top talent, students and educational prestige.
Harvard and Yale have ivy-covered walls; the University of Virginia has Thomas Jefferson – what better symbol of our future and commitment to Florida’s High Tech Corridor than a Calatrava designed building on Florida’s first polytechnic campus?
Our vision is to create a 21st century campus that fuels Florida’s future talent and serves as a beacon for higher education. No one is filling the polytechnic need in Florida and it is critical to the future of Florida’s university system, job growth and the economy.
When will construction on the new campus begin?
Groundbreaking is projected for late 2009.
When will construction on the new campus be completed?
The new campus is projected to open in 2012.
What will this project do for Florida, Lakeland and Polk County?
This opportunity is transformative for Lakeland, Polk County, Florida and the southeastern United States. The Interstate-4 Corridor has the largest population base in the state of Florida. We want children to grow up here, be educated here and work here. We need to attract and retain talent. These students are the foundation of Florida’s future and they will be educated on an inspirational campus.
Polk County and Central Florida have tremendous potential to be the next Silicon Valley or Research Triangle. Those economic hubs were built on a critical mass of public and private educational and research facilities that fed off of each other. This commitment to a destination campus is a critical step toward Polk County’s future.
Where can I learn more about Santiago Calatrava?
His company Web site is a great place to start – www.calatrava.com.
Where can I find updates on this project?
Regular construction progress updates will be posted on the USFP Web site at www.poly.usf.edu.