The project's ground-breaking, tentatively scheduled for nextsummer, will complement an innovative $60 million, private-publicredevelopment program planned in the Parramore district, Downtown'spoorest neighborhood. The venture anticipates triggering $1 billionin new surrounding commercial development over the next five years.The campus is expected to be completed and open to students by fall2003.

Mayor Glenda E. Hood spearheaded the five-month effort and the$17 million economic incentives carrot offered to the university.In the end, the regents said Orlando's corporate support platformswayed them over Tampa, FL and Lakeland, FL, two cities that alsocampaigned vigorously for the development prize over the past fivemonths. Among the project's backers are the Orlando Magic, Denny'srestaurant chain, Coca-Cola Co., Avis Rent-a-Car and Delta AirLines.

The law school will be built on a 3.8-acre Downtown site next tothe planned new $60 million federal courthouse building on HugheyAvenue. Also planned in the one-square-mile Parramore district area $25 million, 150,000-sf headquarters complex for publicly-tradedHughes Supply Co.; 254 apartment units; 25,000 sf of retail; and a1,000-vehicle parking garage.