Future of Florida International University

[kevinkagy]

Here's a great article about FIU, talking mostly about the new on-campus football stadium under construction for the 2008 season, and the new Medical School opening, but also on future construction and development to occur at the university with new dorms, academic buildings, and shops. Interesting read, definitely looks prospective for FIU!

http://www.miamiherald.com/601/story/405266.html

FIU's new football stadium taking shape
BY PETE PELEGRIN

FIU football coach Mario Cristobal, left, and athletic director Pete Garcia stand on the turf of the new stadium.
EMILY HARRIS / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD
FIU football coach Mario Cristobal, left, and athletic director Pete Garcia stand on the turf of the new stadium.

Take a drive on Florida's Turnpike, and before approaching the Southwest 8th Street exit, glance toward the east and you will see the beacon for a new era at Florida International University.

The east end zone seats and club suites rising above the west side of the university are one part of FIU's ''jewel'' -- a $50 million football stadium and the beginning of a burgeoning sports and entertainment complex.

''This facility will be the crown jewel for the entire FIU community,'' FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said. ``It also will be a centerpiece for all of South Florida to enjoy FIU football games, high school football, pro soccer, concerts and other events at this state-of-the-art venue.''

The stadium -- which will be built in phases and mirrors the wraparound model of Florida State's Doak Campbell Stadium -- opens Sept. 20, with FIU's first home game of the 2008 season against South Florida. It is the only on-campus stadium south of Orlando. In the opening phase, the stadium will seat 20,000, and it eventually will expand to 45,000 with an enclosed upper deck.

Attached to the west end zone seats will be a $12.5 million fieldhouse featuring a state-of-the-art weight training and rehabilitation facility for all FIU athletes.

THE HUB OF FIU

In addition, FIU's student services support center and a welcome center -- which will be the hub of FIU -- will be embedded into the north side of the stadium. The north side is expected to be finished by 2011. The entire project is expected to cost more than $250 million.

Football might not be the only sport played at FIU Stadium.

At a Miami Sports Commission meeting Jan. 15, Garcia proposed to allow a Major League Soccer expansion team to play rent-free at the stadium. If the MLS decides to play at FIU, it could save Miami-Dade County from spending $120 million on a soccer stadium next to the proposed Marlins stadium on the Orange Bowl site.

''There are two great days in the history of FIU that will occur this year,'' FIU president Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique said. ``One is when the medical school is accredited, and we hope that is this month. And in September, when we open that stadium and we have a place where all FIU students and alumni can congregate to infuse themselves with blue-and-gold pride.''

FIU Stadium, when completed, will include 1,400 club seats, approximately 50 club suites and a Panther Club on the first floor for club-seats owners. Shortly after he was hired Oct. 10, 2006, Garcia tweaked the design plans to move the seats as close to the field as possible and still have enough room to hold soccer matches.

''We want to give that Orange Bowl feel where fans are right on top of the players and the action,'' Garcia said. ``There is no wasted space between the sidelines and seats.''

The close proximity of the seats encourages a lively atmosphere, and having the stadium across from the school's dorms also will help, Garcia said.

''There's an excitement all over campus for the stadium,'' FIU student body president Marbely Hernandez said. ``It's going to be a big place for students to gather for not just football, but for other events year-round. We have alumni all over the country that have called to say they are coming down as soon as it opens.''

Maidique said the first two floors of the FIU fieldhouse would be completed by the end of this year. The fieldhouse eventually will have four floors when finished.

`BIG, NEW MONSTER'

Some of the other features of the fieldhouse include the FIU locker room, coaches' offices, meeting rooms, and a patio on the second floor overlooking the stadium for recruits and VIPs.

''The fact that there's a big, new monster going up in the middle of campus, recruits are really excited about that,'' FIU coach Mario Cristobal said. `` . . . Now we have all the toys and technology to develop these young men at the highest level. It's here right now; it's not a dream. It's a reality.''

The visiting team's locker room will be located on the east side of the stadium. It will be big enough for a college team, or it can be partitioned to hold two high school or two soccer teams. There will be a separate room for game officials. Above the seats in the east end zone will be a state-of-the-art video scoreboard. The old FIU scoreboard will be placed above the seats in the west end zone.

Maidique said details are being worked on to build an FIU Alumni Center on top of the visiting team's fieldhouse. There also are preliminary discussions about having a restaurant overlooking the field.

With more than 120,000 FIU alumni in South Florida, the Alumni Center could be a welcomed addition.

''As a proud FIU alumni, it excites me to see great progress on campus, and this new stadium is a wonderful example of the growth and expansion of all of our programs, both academic and athletic,'' said U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a 1975 FIU graduate. ``Every time I go back to the campus for an event, it astounds me to see all the construction under way.''

MAIN STREET FIU

Along with the Alumni Center, FIU is in talks with Miami-Dade County to build ''Main Street FIU'' just across the northeast corner of the stadium.

''We want to have something similar to Main Street in Miami Lakes,'' Maidique said. ``We're actively engaged in discussions with Miami-Dade County to build an area of retail stores, restaurants on the first floor of Main Street FIU and have student dorms above those businesses.''

Parking and access have been issues at other stadiums, but is not expected to be a problem at FIU stadium.

Spacious lots are on the east and west side of the stadium, along with additional parking at Tamiami Park, which abuts FIU. On the south side of the stadium, suite and club-seats holders have 264 spaces for private parking and a private entrance to the stadium.

Two parking garages on the east side of the stadium are expected to go up when construction begins on Main Street FIU.

Getting to and leaving the stadium is not expected to be a hassle, with access to the turnpike, the Dolphin Expressway and Southwest 8 Street less than two miles from the stadium.

With so much progress being made, is it any wonder FIU officials are beaming?

''We will not compromise with our goals,'' Maidique said. ``We are building that stadium. We are building that fieldhouse and we are going to field a tremendous football team. If you come back here a few years from now, you are not going to recognize FIU or the athletics program from where it is today.''

[RETROMANIA]

I guess u must stuyde there, don't ya?

[dave8721]

At least they are being ambitious in trying to turn it into a more traditional school with a real campus atmosphere and less of a commuter school. I applaud them.

Sweetwater, a future college town?

[brickell]

Also a good article about the medical school a couple of days ago.
Getting the medical school accredited will be huge, not just for the school, but for Miami.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miam.../405216.html#x

[Arkon]

Originally Posted by dave8721

At least they are being ambitious in trying to turn it into a more traditional school with a real campus atmosphere and less of a commuter school. I applaud them.

Sweetwater, a future college town?

wow, that's an amazing idea! that would be so great for west mia

fiu has always been a good school, but its growing into a great one



like the florida marlins, wish theyd change the name to miami international university...

[Hia-leah JDM]

I was at FIU a couple of weeks ago, and the campus is absolutely beautiful, it had an amazing vibe, and hope the best for it.

[kevinkagy]

The FIU Medical School just got accreditated today, a big feat for FIU and Miami as a whole. The Med School will enroll its first class for Fall 2009.

http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/407936.html

[brickell]

Originally Posted by the article

''The preliminary accreditation of the medical school is certainly in the 22 years since I've been president the greatest moment in our history,'' Maidique said in an interview late Tuesday. ``We've become part of a very special group, one of 126 American universities that have medical schools. It is a fundamental piece of becoming a major urban public university.''

FIU's medical school is now among only two or three universities that have received accreditation in the United States in the past 20 years. FIU's medical school must still clear two more accreditation hurdles before they received final accreditation, but the preliminary accreditation is the most important, Maidique said.

Here's the exciting parts of the article. There's still a ways to go, but like it says, one out of 126 now. Combine that with the massive upgrades UM is making of their program and Miami is one step closer to becoming a medical research hub.

[Desiderata]

As an FIU alumni it thrills me to see the school evolve into something even better. The school is not perfect, but it's nice to see it grow.

Would a "mainstreet" work there? I mean, you have International Mall and Dolphin Mall nearby...I know Miami Lakes' mainstreet leaves a lot to be desired so it won't compete with the malls exactly, and outdoor shops seems to be all the rage lately...but I wonder how big they intend to go with the concept....interesting.

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by Desiderata

As an FIU alumni it thrills me to see the school evolve into something even better. The school is not perfect, but it's nice to see it grow.

Would a "mainstreet" work there? I mean, you have International Mall and Dolphin Mall nearby...I know Miami Lakes' mainstreet leaves a lot to be desired so it won't compete with the malls exactly, and outdoor shops seems to be all the rage lately...but I wonder how big they intend to go with the concept....interesting.

Well according to the article it'd be mostly dorms, except the first floor which would most likely be more restaurants and food options for students, and probably a few non-food stores. I think it'd work nicely as there's already 5 dorm buildings next to the stadium, so these with more dorm towers, would mean a lot of students living in a close area, so these shops could definitely be feasible.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Its probaly more of a step towards becoming a more traditional school and not a commuter school, and a mainstreet type develoment would attract some/alot people to reside at the school.

[Desiderata]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

Well according to the article it'd be mostly dorms, except the first floor which would most likely be more restaurants and food options for students, and probably a few non-food stores. I think it'd work nicely as there's already 5 dorm buildings next to the stadium, so these with more dorm towers, would mean a lot of students living in a close area, so these shops could definitely be feasible.

There are dorms on the north eastern side of the school right? Maybe they could demolish those, build another tower near the new projects and use the old space for another garage/building. Keep all the dorms in one place, you know? Another garage near the main part of the campus is much needed. Anyway, would this new "mainstreet" do away with the food court at GC?

How much space do they have for future expansion?

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by Desiderata

There are dorms on the north eastern side of the school right? Maybe they could demolish those, build another tower near the new projects and use the old space for another garage/building. Keep all the dorms in one place, you know? Another garage near the main part of the campus is much needed. Anyway, would this new "mainstreet" do away with the food court at GC?

How much space do they have for future expansion?

Yeah, there are more dorms on the NE side of campus. There are ideas to build dorm towers in their place, as the ones there are really small, 10 2-story apartment buildings. There definitely won't be any parking garage going in its place, as there's already two more parking garages in the master plan, one by the football stadium, and another by the Med School complex area. And I HIGHLY doubt the Mainstreet FIU idea would replace the food courts at GC. These would be in addition to them, as the university needs more food options, not less.

Here's the master plan:

http://facilities.fiu.edu/images/pdf..._2005-2015.pdf

[Desiderata]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

Here's the master plan:

http://facilities.fiu.edu/images/pdf..._2005-2015.pdf

Cool! Thanks for the link.

[Architek]

Honestly with the budget cuts that all florida schools are facing I honestly don't understand how the heck FIU is doing all of this, UF and FSU are about to close down buildings and end summer session and its probably going to be worse AT UCF, AND FIU where they have fewer resources and more students, I dont know if its possible but I can see FAMU or FIU bankrupting themselves through the lack of funds to pay faculty and keep classes going.

[Roark]

Originally Posted by Architek

Honestly with the budget cuts that all florida schools are facing I honestly don't understand how the heck FIU is doing all of this, UF and FSU are about to close down buildings and end summer session and its probably going to be worse AT UCF, AND FIU where they have fewer resources and more students, I dont know if its possible but I can see FAMU or FIU bankrupting themselves through the lack of funds to pay faculty and keep classes going.

One word answer: LEADERSHIP!!! Mitch Maidique is a freakin' dynamo!
This guy gets funding, private contributions and works every angle for that school. He is the most passionate leader in education that I've ever met and he gets things done. Hats off to the FIU students and grads, that school continues to get better.

[spellbound]

I know people that consider Mitch Madique a real jerk, but that may be just a matter of personal animosities they had working with him.

Regardless, good to see FIU blossoming and hopefully a true campus environment will evolve there as student housing is added.

[Roark]

http://www.miamiherald.com/601/story/405266.html

[dave8721]

On a related note UM has raised $1.4 billion (yes with a B):

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/brea...ry/412525.html

UM is using the money to endow 35 new faculty chairs, construct or improve 33 buildings and provide more scholarships, among other things.

[kevinkagy]

Information on the Sweetwater/FIU project to create a "college town" within a city. This project has been floating around for awhile but has recently been getting a lot of attention at the university. It'd be nice if it were to happen, for obvious reasons, but it would really benefit both the local community and especially the students.

http://metropolitan.fiu.edu/download..._winter2k7.pdf