Construction is continuing on the brand new Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, which was given approval to be the state's 12th public university by lawmakers earlier this year.
Real estate professionals and economic developers believe that the university will be a huge complement to the school system in the Sunshine State, which is an opinion echoed by Bryan Mehaffey, a former employee of USF Poly who is now working with Florida Poly. Mehaffey has been raving about the drawing power of the new university since he took the new board of directors of the school on a tour of the construction at the campus, where a flagship, uber-modern building designed by internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava is being built.
The building is completely unique, which is also said to be the case with the university. It is the first state polytechnic in Florida; students will study for degrees based in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math), which are among the hottest job growth areas.
Nor is it just about education. It is also about everything from jobs, development and money to housing developments, roads, shopping malls, culture, prestige and tourism.
Not that it will all happen overnight, however. "It's going to be 20 to 30 years out - a multi-generational deal," says Land South Group Lakeland developer Bryan Philpot. "It's hard to project the impact of anything that far out, but it's nothing but positive. It's going to be fantastic."
Construction began on the brand new university eight months ago ? back in March ? and is expected to be complete by this time next year. Some of the land in the 530 acres given to the university will be set aside for the purpose of conservation, play and sport areas.
