A huge gift -- millions of dollars -- moves the University of Central Florida's downtown campus one step closer to reality.

  • Dr. Phillips Charities donated $4 million to UCF Downtown campus
  • The donation pushed UCF to its goal of $21 million
  • UCF Downtown campus is expected to be completed in 2019

Dr. Phillips Charities gifted $4 million to the project, pushing the university's private donation total to $21 million. The money was added to Dr. Phillips Charities’ previous donation of $3 million.

“It validated the vision that we had, and made us feel even more that the community understands what we’re trying to accomplish," said Thad Seymour Jr, UCF Downtown Vice Provost. “Starting next year, when we get shovels in the ground, and really start building and seeing it go vertical, our hearts are going to be racing even more then.”

Located west of I-4 by the old Bob Carr Center, the joint UCF-Valencia College downtown campus will be a crucial part of the proposed Creative Village. The university said they, along with the city of Orlando, are courting big companies for the area, hoping other companies will follow suit and move operations to the Creative Village technology and commerce cluster.

“What we’re already seeing is interest, now that this is really coming to life," said Seymour, adding he's looking forward to organic growth of the area. “We’ve studied innovation clusters, which is in many ways what this will become. They’re all anchored by a top-quality research university, we have now planted our flag here.”

The focal point of the campus is a $60-million-dollar academic building, funded in thirds: by the school, the state and private donations. In order to get the $20 million from the sunshine state, UCF needed to hit that number in private donations.

“This just means more opportunity for future generations, jobs coming into Orlando," said Jared Bittner, a senior at UCF. “Putting UCF at the heart of the city, and also branching out to be a Central Florida powerhouse, is really exciting.”

Bittner studies video game development at the Center for Emerging Media downtown. But, he and his classmates have been eyeing what’s going on outside their classroom.

“Livingston got turned into Bentley, cut off behind me, pretty much. They’re doing construction here every day," he said, looking around. “Progress is being made.”

Indeed, there is movement: crews are re-aligning Livingston Street, and UCF signed agreements with architects and general contractors. In addition, Seymour said teams are studying how the future school will "deliver academic excellence" while engaging with the community.

In August, the university announced it would push back the project completion time by one year, to the fall of 2019 academic year. Seymour said it's still an "aggressive schedule," and ensures the project is done properly.

“We need to be embedded in an urban core, and that’s really what this is about," said Seymour. “We now have the chance to bring that dream to life in incredibly exciting ways.”