Boom or Bust: Miami

Florida International University has undergone constant construction and expansion over the last decade. Since 1998 there have been numerous new buildings erected and others expanded:  Green Library, Panther Hall, The Towers Residence Hall, Everglades Hall,  The Mark Building,  4 new parking garages, a major expansion to the  Graham Center (Student Union, new Bookstore, Law School, School of Architecture, School of Business Expansion, Recreation facility, Life Science Building, and Wellness Center. Recently, the State approved FIU’s plans for a medical school. Now, GlobeSt.com reports on FIU’s latest facilities expansion: its football stadium. The  university’s infant football program (winless last season) can look forward to playing in  a an impressive new football stadium.  With this expansion, FIU will be able to do what even UM has not, have a football stadium on the campus. The two phase plans will end up adding 45,000 seats (1,400 of the club level) to the stadium as well as a 6,500 sq. ft. Panther Club with 19 suites. Odebrecht, builders of the Performing Arts Center and MIA’s north and south terminal, have been contracted for the job.

FIU, whose School of Hospitality has opened a branch in Tianjin University in China (reportedly the only one of its kind in all of China and unprecedented among American universities), has begun construction on “Future House USA” in Beijing, China. In the opening construction ceremony, many senior Chinese officials spoke.

Representatives of FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing are assisting in project development. There are other U.S. collaborators but none are from academic institutions. Miami’s only major public 4-year university has undergone some dramatic facility expansion projects over the last several years. This international joint venture marks a boost in the university’s prestige while drawing some well deserved attention to Miami.