University of South Florida
Lakeland Campus
Land Acquisition Committee Meeting
Debriefing Meeting Minutes
March 04, 2003
Debriefing of the Hacklake property site visit,
12:00 PM, March 04, 2003 - USF Lakeland Campus, 2125-2126.
Members Present:
| Dr. Alice Murray |
|
| Ms. Barbara Donerly |
Dr. Gene Engle |
| Ms. Whitney Gaston |
Mr. Matthew Huber |
| Dr. Art Karshmer |
Dr. Bernard Mackey |
| Dr. Al Sistrunk |
|
| Ms. Kristi Brown | |
A. Approval of March 4, 2003 Minutes, Dr. Alice Murray
Motion made by Dr. Al Sistrunk and second by Dr. Art Karshmer that
minutes be approved with revisions. Vote was unanimous.
B. Discussion of Hacklake Site Visit
Committee then began the discussion of the site
visit to the Hacklake Forest property.
Mr. Gene Engle brought the important question
to the committee “What
comes first?”
- Location
- Accessibility
- Campus Life
The Hacklake property offers many benefits such as, community support.
The Fort Meade community is very excited about the opportunity of developing
it’s town into a “college community.” With this large
amount of property, 1,100 acres, USF would have the opportunity to
create, develop and grow its own community within the Fort Meade area.
The property is absolutely gorgeous. Highway 17, a four lane road is
an easily accessible road bringing students from Wauchula and Sebring.
As noted by the Fort Mead Chamber Fort Meade is the center of Florida.
The committee then discussed issues with the property being on land
has been reclaimed. The property is also near the land fill and there
is an odor from the land fill.
Dr. Alice Murray addresses that 50% of the property is usable. Gene
Engle and Barbara Donerly both expressed from discussion with Mr. Hackl
that the 50% is all on the sand tailings. The berms seem be to very
well intact, as you could see willows growing and cypress.
Dr. Art Karshmer brought to the committee the issue of accessibility
to the proposed site. Campus housing would be a “must” for
this campus site. Many of the Lakeland students are evening students,
the accessibility (on a timing standpoint) to the Lakeland campus is
already a challenge for the Tampa students. The campus is here to serve
the students, this is a vital consideration.
- Where is the heaviest population of students?
- Where will the students come from?
It is important to look where the population will be 5 – 10 – 15
years from now.
Presently 85% of our students are from the Lakeland, Winter Lake area.
Ms. Barbara Donerly will be receiving a DOT density map and will then
provide the Land Acquisition Committee with the information given in
terms of location, community growth, etc.
Dr. Al Sistrunk brought the discussion of twigs and the possibility
of viewing the Hacklake site as a twig, would this be an option?
Yes, In Mr. Hackl’s letter he lists the offer of “a smaller
portion” of the property.
The committee then directed discussion towards priorities for the
selection of a campus site. What are our priorities? What issues are
we looking for? How do we see this campus? Start with 20 -25 years
and work backwards?
Dr. Murray shared with committee possible opportunities of a Research
Park, joint ventures as a research team (USF, UCF) with Lakeland being
a central point. Transportation facilities are important. With the “High
Speed Railroad” in the future, we need to push for a stop in
the Lakeland area.
C. Discussion of Master Planner:
Dr. Mackey provided an update on the Master Planner and the selection process. The Master Plan selection committee narrowed their selection to four:
- Reynolds, Smith and Hills
- Wallace, Roberts and Todd
- HOK
- Portman and Associates
The team selected will be the “Expert Consultants” for
the Land Acquisition Committee (LAC). They will view each site and then
meet
with the LAC and discuss their research of each of the properties.
D. Issues to address at the next meeting:
- Williams Property reschedule
- Meeting with the Master Planner
Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM by Dr. Alice Murray. The next general meeting will be the debriefing of the Old Florida Plantation site visit at 5:30 PM.
Minutes taken and transcribed by: Kristi Brown
Approved by:
Dr. Alice Murray
|
