The University of Florida, Jeff Greene campus stand-off in West Palm: 5 things you need to know

Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post
·3 min read
The future University of Florida graduate campus would be around Datura Street, left, and Evernia Street, right, in downtown West Palm Beach.
The future University of Florida graduate campus would be around Datura Street, left, and Evernia Street, right, in downtown West Palm Beach.

The University of Florida said in a press release Thursday that it has "paused" its negotiations for a UF campus in downtown West Palm Beach.

The university said it will look at other options in South Florida after a disagreement erupted over naming rights for the proposed 12-acre graduate school.

If the campus doesn't get built, it would be a crushing blow to West Palm Beach and business leaders who have invested in the city anticipating a swarm of industrial and economic activity to build around a campus of the state's flagship school.

Palm Beach Post reporter Alexandra Clough had reported about the snag, which boils down to billionaire Jeff Greene's request for naming rights. To read that full story, go here, but it requires a subscription to The Post. For a limited time, the Post is offering a deal for new subscribers: only $1 a month for 12 months. Sign up here.

Like other universities, the University of Florida has built satellite campuses across the state. But the one proposed for downtown West Palm Beach sounded especially promising and special.

BREAKING:UF campus deal in downtown West Palm Beach is on hold, according to university

1. UF campus in West Palm Beach would offer classes in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financial tech

The campus, which was announced two years ago, was expected to offer graduate, executive and professional degrees and focus on the colleges of engineering, business and law. Key areas of study would be in artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, cybersecurity, financial technology and coastal infrastructure.

More:Unanimous decision: Palm Beach County, city approve plans for UF campus near downtown

2. Where exactly would this UF campus go in West Palm?

In a nutshell, the plan was for it to be right in downtown West Palm Beach.

The campus would be on about 12 acres of public and private land east of Tamarind Avenue between Clematis and Fern streets in an area called Government Hill.

3. How would the proposed campus be paid for?

The plan was it for largely to be paid for through land and monetary donations, but also a sizeable amount of state tax dollars.

Let's start with the property — 12 acres worth.

Palm Beach County offered 5 acres with the City of West Palm Beach contributing 2 more acres. Billionaire developer Jeff Greene, who has ardently backed the project, has offered to donate another 5 acres. We'll get back to that in a second.

Let's talk first about the dollars.

Jeff Greene and his One West Palm project in downtown West Palm Beach Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.
Jeff Greene and his One West Palm project in downtown West Palm Beach Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.

Last year, Florida lawmakers approved an award of $100 million to UF to create the West Palm Beach campus. The money seemingly was contingent on two factors: The receipt of 12 acres of donated land in Palm Beach County, and $100 million in cash donations paid in full on or before July 1, 2027.

4. Now, back to the land donation, which is at the heart of the stalemate

Those 5 acres first promised by Greene are at the center of the dispute holding things up.

In short, Greene said he is willing to donate the land, but he wants assurances.

Greene talked to Palm Beach Post reporter Alexandra Clough about what he's asking for, and what UF promised. He even shared a letter from UF that spells out the deal.

To read Alexandra Clough's full story on that issue, go here, but it also requires a subscription to The Post. For a limited time, the Post is offering a deal for new subscribers: only $1 a month for 12 months. Sign up here.

Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and The Related Cos., is a key player in the proposal to bring a University of Florida graduate campus to downtown West Palm Beach. Green told The Palm Beach Post that the deal "is in terrible trouble."
Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and The Related Cos., is a key player in the proposal to bring a University of Florida graduate campus to downtown West Palm Beach. Green told The Palm Beach Post that the deal "is in terrible trouble."

5. Is the stand-off really a stand-off or just white-knuckle bargaining?

With the kind of heavy hitters at bat here, there was always the possibility of high-stakes negotiating.

But all signs, as well as public and private statements, as Alexandra reported, pointed to a concerning stalemate.

Alexandra also spoke with another key player, Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins and The Related Cos., who said this about the UF campus proposal, before UF said it was on hold: "It's in terrible trouble."

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jeff Greene, UF at odds over West Palm Beach campus