Local

DeSantis expresses support for proposed downtown UF graduate campus

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis expressed solid support for a proposed University of Florida graduate campus downtown during a visit to Jacksonville on Tuesday.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Action News Jax first told you back in February when plans for the possible UF graduate campus were first announced.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The Speaker of The House, Paul Renner, said the project is transformational for the city.

“What the University of Florida doesn’t have is a big city like Jacksonville, being based in Gainesville, and what Jacksonville doesn’t have is a top 5 university in Jacksonville,” Renner said.

Renner said the proposed UF campus in Downtown Jacksonville is a big win for both the city and the university.

During an appearance with the governor in Jacksonville Tuesday morning, he noted that it’s a project he supports.

Related Story: Investigates: Is Jacksonville a pawn in UF campus game?

“Based on the consistent support, and the city and by the private sectors delivering on the promises that they would back this fully and match the dollars that we are putting forward,” Renner said.

The state’s proposed budget includes $75 million for this campus project.

The city had already committed $20 million with an additional $30 million likely over the next two years.

While the governor said that he has not looked at the state’s part of the budget just yet, he is in favor of the project’s proposed vision.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

“I think that there’s a clear vision about how this can be successful, and I think there’s been huge support from the local community which really makes a difference,” DeSantis said.