The University of Central Florida may construct a new building to house offices now located in Colbourn Hall, a 40-year-old building that has experienced water intrusion and other issues typically found in older facilities.
Colbourn Hall is home to faculty and department offices, the Graduate Student Center and University Writing Center, and a few classrooms. The building, named after UCF President Emeritus Trevor Colbourn, has served as a focal point for academic life since the university’s early years.
The new building, which would be built adjacent to Colbourn Hall, received the support of the Board of Trustees Finance and Facilities Committee on Thursday. The full Board of Trustees would have to approve the project before it can move forward.
If approved, the new building would have a projected 75,000 square feet, which is slightly smaller than Colbourn Hall. It would be large enough to accommodate all of the occupants in the building, and, as a more modern facility, will better serve students’ and staff and faculty members’ needs. Staff and faculty members who work in Colbourn Hall would be part of the design meetings for the new building.
Once the new building is completed, departments and offices currently located in Colbourn Hall would be relocated. Options for Colbourn Hall renovations would be considered further as the university is able to secure funding.
UCF had been considering renovations to Colbourn Hall that would include exterior brickwork; enclosing exterior walkways and staircases; waterproofing and insulation; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system replacement; and interior finishes.
The idea of constructing a new building surfaced after it became clear that completing those renovations in phases would not be feasible, meaning that the university would need to find temporary offices for approximately 200 faculty members for the duration of the construction.
The cost of the new building is estimated at $21.3 million.
President Emeritus Trevor Colbourn served as UCF’s second president from 1978 until 1989.