Overview
Design, fund, and construct or lease a permanent, dual-owned and co-operated physical facility (Campus & Community Engagement Center) centrally located to bridge the campus-civic divide. Envisioned as a ~12,500 SF multi-use hub managed by a joint administrative board, the space will combine university and county public-service offices, shared tech-enabled workspaces, reservable student-community meeting rooms, and independent cubicle hubs. To drive self-sustaining commercial revenue, the ground floor will integrate leased commercial retail and dining alcoves, including a local coffee shop, a sandwich parlor, a bank branch, and a UGA-branded merchandise storefront.
Action plan
Short-term
(Short Term 0-6 Months - Vision & Foundational Planning): Define the core mission, values, and operational scope of the center; identify and assemble a working group of key decision-makers across UGA departments, ACCGov leaders, student organizations, and local business networks; conduct structured stakeholder interviews and public listening sessions; benchmark peer town-and-gown facilities; develop a comprehensive stakeholder map and draft a formal project concept brief.
Medium-term
(Medium Term 6-18 Months - Feasibility & Partnerships): Secure institutional authorizations via formal memoranda between the UGA Administration and ACCGov; execute a professional feasibility study incorporating financial ROI models, community impact vectors, and site analysis; launch a multi-agency programmatic needs assessment; evaluate optimal central geographic land parcels or existing buildings for acquisition vs. lease strategies; map out a phased funding roadmap and launch early donor development tracks.
Long-term
(Long Term 18+ Months - Capital Development & Launch): Launch a structured capital fundraising campaign targeting institutional, public, and private streams; complete site acquisition or long-term lease execution; contract architectural and engineering firms to produce detailed schematic design blueprints; hire essential personnel (Executive Director, Operations Manager, and Community Liaisons); execute building construction or interior renovations; finalize operational workflows and host a grand public unveiling with media coverage.
Expected impact
Projected Community EventsCommunity
Total number of joint town hall sessions executed annually to resolve community issues, foster collaboration, and review metrics.
Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Public Service AwarenessCommunity
Measured percentage increase year-over-year in campus-sponsored program participation rates across the local community.
Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Resident ReachCommunity
Total aggregated annual facility footprint traffic, visitor logs, and local resident usage counts during Year 1 operations.
Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Cross Sector CoordinationInstitutional
Total number of formal, scheduled operational tracking meetings hosted between university and county representatives inside the center annually.
Timeframe: Short-term
Key stakeholders
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov)University of Georgia (UGA) AdministrationUGA Foundation & Capital Campaign CommitteeLocal Athens Businesses & Commercial TenantsAthens Regional Non-Profits (ACCA, Project Safe, Brightpaths)Clarke County School District (CCSD)UGA Student Government Association (SGA) & Campus Clubs
Estimated budget
$5-10.1 Million (more details in the report) hased Development Capital Models (Based on Project Scaling Options):
• Option 1 (Ground-Up New Build on ~2 Acres): $5,375,000 to $10,125,000 total initial capital outlay. (Includes $1M–$2M land procurement and $4.375M–$8.125M for construction modeled at $350–$650/SF across 12,500 SF).
• Option 2 (Existing Facility Lease & Renovation): $2,500,000 to $5,000,000 upfront interior renovation construction costs (modeled at $200–$400/SF), paired with an ongoing annual lease expenditure of $200,000 to $275,000 ($16–$22/SF).
• Baseline Internal Setup & Furnishings: $625,000 one-time capital cost.
• Annual Operating Budget (Excluding Option 2 Lease Fees): $84,000/year stabilized baseline. (Includes $50,000 Center Coordinator salary, $25,000 Utilities, and $9,000 general Operations & Maintenance).