New College of Florida has destroyed part of its Upland Bayfront Preserve to make way for new sports facilities, sparking outrage among local residents and alumni.
Craig Pittman reports for the Florida Phoenix.
In short:
- The New College board, led by President Richard Corcoran, approved the destruction of the Upland Bayfront Preserve to build soccer fields and beach volleyball courts.
- Neighbors and alumni were not informed about the plans, leading to backlash and a halt in construction by city officials for lack of proper permits.
- Corcoran claims the development will enhance the environment, but critics argue it contradicts previous agreements to preserve the area.
Key quote:
“We got no alert, no warning, no update to the master plan.”
— Karen Stack, neighbor
Why this matters:
The destruction of the preserve undermines previous commitments to protect the area and raises concerns about the management and future direction of New College. The lack of transparency and disregard for environmental impact emphasize broader issues within the institution's administration.
