FAU's New Innovation

This is a question I recieved as an anonymous comment on my blog a few weeks ago. You asked, I answered.

"What restaurants/retail do they plan to include in the Innovation Village? Are they going to send out a mass email asking for ideas? I was especially wondering if there would be a barbecue place, a pizza place, a bowling alley, and an arcade?"

For those of you who haven't heard about Innovation Village, it is part of FAU's Master Plan to make the Boca campus more like a traditional university. Although the plans have yet to be finalized, a Board of Trustees' meeting last November said that the structure of the Village should include student residential housing, retail space, a venue for athletics and events and even more parking! But don't hold your breath… we probably won't see a new parking garage for quite some time.

As it stands now, the plans for Innovation Village are shaky. I contacted the director of athletics, the university architect and the general counsel – all of which have yet to call me back. While Innovation Village is now a part of FAU’s master plan for the Boca campus, finalized plans for what will be included, as well as dates for when construction will begin, have yet to be determined.

Also in the works is a university football stadium (yes, folks, on campus). The new stadium, built in phases, will also be a part of Innovation Village. At the November meeting, the administration said the overall goal is to make the Boca campus a more "traditional campus," offering a more "traditional college experience."

While it is not set yet what will be included in the "retail space," the administration is considering using schools like University of Central Florida, Florida State University and University of Florida as models. These schools all offer clothing stores and restaurants, cleaners, hair salon, copy center, Internet cafe and coffee shop.

Although not part of the Innovation Village plan, construction of the new dorms – recently named Glades Park Towers – are set for a substantial opening on July 12. Director of Housing Jill Eckardt says the new dorms are a 600-bed facility with a floor plan identical to Heritage Park Towers.

Eckardt says the only difference with this residence hall is that it's "only for new students or freshman." The first floor of the hall will also include an Outakes convenience store, classroom, conference room and computer lab. This new dorm is going to be so cool, Eckardt says it's already booked full for next fall.

Stay turned for more information about FAU construction and the progress of Innovation Village.