Balfour Beatty Partners with University of West Florida in Intensive P3, Breaks Ground on Another Partnership Project in Texas

by Katie Sloan

Pensacola, Fla. — As master developer, Balfour Beatty will build numerous facilities beyond housing.

This residence hall will open in 2014
at Tarleton State University in Texas.
Pensacola, Fla. —
The University of West Florida (UWF) has selected Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions as the master developer for a large-scale project that will be built in phases over a 10-year period. The effort is divided into two projects: The University Park development project will include the UWF Field House, Health & Leisure building and a health and wellness center. This project also includes a new student union, housing, a football stadium, parking garage, plaza, bell tower and more.

The other project, Northwest Village, will be a 55-and-older active adult community on the west side of campus. This housing facility will be geared for lifelong learners and retired faculty. The RFP was issued by UWF Business Enterprises Inc. (BEI), which is a 501(c)3 that was formed in 2011 to support the university and further progress and efforts in partnering with the private sector.

The UWF BEI evaluation committee chose seven developers/development teams from the request for qualifications (RFQ) respondents who submitted letters of interest and qualifications in February. The BEI evaluation committee then reviewed those responses and selected three developer teams to participate in the request for proposal (RFP) in April. The RFP was used to determine the team that will work with UWF BEI to become the business partner to develop the Campus Master Plan and recommend refinement to the Master Plan, provide financing, design, construction, and various components of this Master Development project. (Source: UWF BEI web site.)

In Stephenville, Texas, Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions will break ground on another public-private partnership as the lead developer on a $25 million residence hall at Tarleton State University, a member of the Texas A&M university system. The 514-bed, living-learning community will be completed by August 2014. BOKA Powell Architects is designing the hall, and Balfour Beatty Construction is the construction partner.

Floor plans will feature 514 beds in a modified suite configuration that will include community spaces, kitchens and study areas on each floor. Upon completion, the University will operate and maintain the building including management of all resident life activities.

The project has been financed through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and is owned by an affiliate of Collegiate Housing Foundation, a national 501(c)(3), under a 32-year ground lease with the University. The University will receive an annual ground lease payment. RBC Capital Markets served as the underwriter for the issuance of bonds for this project.

 

You may also like