Getty Foundation Campus Heritage Grants assist colleges and universities in the United States to plan for the preservation of their significant historic buildings, sites, and landscapes. Successful projects will have a direct impact on the university’s ability to manage and preserve the integrity of its historic resources. The 2003 Getty Campus Heritage Grant Program has awarded a $150,000 grant to the College of Design, Construction, and Planning to develop a comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan and Guidelines for the University of Florida Campus. As a result of the Getty Campus Heritage Grant, University of Florida Historic Campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The UF Preservation of Historic Buildings and Sites Committee reviews projects related to the Historic Campus.
This continental exchange program focuses on architecture and urban conservation in the historic cities and settlements of North America, places that are both challenged and helped by economic development and globalization. It will provide students from the three countries opportunities for semester long study at partner institutions as well as specialized intensive summer workshops. The semester exchanges will involve full academic credit reciprocity among the school in their professional design curriculum. Workshops will give student participants the opportunity to work alongside professionals and experts in the fields of architecture and urban conservation.
The University Heights Neighborhood, a single-family residential area adjacent to campus, was developed during the first half of the 20th century and principally housed university-related families. Growth of the university and demand for student-oriented housing threatened the character of the historic community fabric and an overlay district was initially created to control development activity. The city has contracted with the Research and Education Center for Architectural Preservation (RECAP) to develop design guidelines for proposed historic district status.
The State of Florida Historical Resources Grant Program is funding a grant of $25,830 matched with in-kind services by the University of Florida College of Design, Construction, and Planning; the Division of Facilities Planning and Construction; and Physical Plant Division. This grant project will identify significant Post-World War II campus buildings and the associated historic impact area; define preservation goals and processes in response to the University Master Plan; and map historic and visual linkages of the historic campus.
The State of Florida Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources has awarded $43,000 to the DCP Research and Education Center for Architectural Preservation to assist the Florida Park Service in development of a computerized cyclical maintenance plan during 2004-5. Dudley Farm State Park and the UF Women's Gym will serve as case studies.
The Cotton Club, also known as the Perry Theater, the Blue Note, and the Badcock Furniture Warehouse, was originally a PX at Camp Blanding and was moved to its current location after World War II. The Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, in partnership with the University of Florida's Powell Center for Construction & Environment and Historic Preservation Program, are restoring the building for use as a museum, gift shop, and neighborhood center. Historic Preservation coupled with green building guidelines will ensure that this building continues to play a significant role in the East Gainesville Community.
