BEI Projects

Concepts

UWF BEI is interested in businesses and partnerships that will enhance academic training and/or provide a needed service for the university and community. Each business concept goes through a lengthy assessment process to determine if it is viable and appropriate. The list below is comprised of initiatives under consideration by BEI. Each of these concepts could potentially create revenue sources that would benefit the university, without using state funds.

	East Gate Village East Gate Village will include a Hotel & Conference Center, student housing and restaurants. The tentative completion date is August 2014. View FAQs (PDF) View concept site plan (PDF)
	University Park & Northwest Village University Park is the central area of campus, which includes potential facilities such as a new student union, residence hall, football stadium, and more. Northwest Village is a proposed 55 + active adult community, to be developed on west campus. View FAQs (PDF)
	Digital Sign Project A public-private partnership, the digital sign would be located on Hwy. 90. The University would share space with commercial businesses to tout educational, community and social programs. View FAQs (PDF)
	Electronic Displays on Campus  (Digital Message) Through a public-private partnership with Electronic Display Networks, ten electronic displays are located in high-traffic areas and feature a mix of targeted advertising, calendar events, weather updates and UWF news and information. View FAQs (PDF)
	Electric Vehicle Project UWF BEI envisions a fleet of all-electric cars that could be used by students as a cost-saving alternative to bringing personal cars on campus. The car-sharing concept would help open up more parking spaces using green technology. View FAQs (PDF)
	Pensacola Cultural Heritage Tourism West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. is a direct support organization of the University of West Florida. UWF BEI is working with the new WFHPI Board of Directors to discuss partnerships that will showcase Pensacola's historic past while increasing tourism.

UWF BEI Moves Forward with Hotel/Conference Center Plan

UWF BEI selected the West Florida Development Group led by Vieste, LLC of Chicago as the lead developer of the project on Aug. 24, 2012. The UWF BEI Board of Directors and the UWF Board of Trustees voted on February 18, 2013 to approve an Affiliation Agreement with Vieste, LLC. The scope of development will include a UWF hotel and conference center, student housing, and retail space on approximately 18 acres located at the east entrance of campus.

The general contractor will be Manhattan-Hewes Construction, a joint venture between Manhattan Construction Co. of Fort Myers and Hewes and Co. of Pensacola. Groundbreaking of the $41 million development is projected for June 2013. The plan calls for the facilities to be open by August 2014.

The main feature of the mixed-use development will be a suite-style hotel with 100 guest rooms and a conference center. Interior streets will separate the hotel from the retail shops, restaurants and student housing. The housing will consist of 300 apartment-style units intended for non-traditional students, such as upper divisional students, former military and married couples. View the Concept Preliminary Site Plan. (PDF)

Scenic Hills Country Club, Purchased by UWF BEI

On May 22, 2012 the UWF BEI Board approved the purchase of Scenic Hills Golf and Country Club. On June 14, the UWF Board of Trustees approved the debt to be incurred by UWF BEI for the acquisition. The purchase was finalized as of July 1. On Sept. 28, 2012 UWF BEI officially opened the doors as the new owners of Scenic Hills Country Club. By Fall 2012, the golf course, which will continue to be run as Scenic Hills Country Club, has been incorporated into the university's athletic and academic programs. View FAQs (PDF)