Sarasota News Leader
June 14, 2013
Page 54
to look at and learn from," Peterson continued, the city nonetheless has lost many of its
important architectural structures. "This is the
time and a great opportunity to put advocacy
in action and repurpose the building … And
what greater learning environment for students and for the community …"
On June 5, the County Commission agreed
to lease the Rupp structure to the University
of Florida for 10 years at a cost of $10, or $1
per year. The lease goes into effect on Feb. 1,
2014; it can be renewed at a fee to be determined in the future, according to the resolution approved by the board.
Martin Gold, director of the University of Florida's School of Architecture, said he anticipated the graduate program could have up to 53
students in the future, though plans call for
about 40 when it opens in the Rupp building
in the fall of 2014.
While she is a graduate of the University of
Miami law school, Commissioner Christine
Robinson told Gold and the Petersons, her
husband is a Gator. As Eric Robinson would
say, she continued, "To bring the flagship university into Sarasota County is amazing. … I
Guy Peterson is an award-winning architect known for his modern structures. Image from www.
guypeterson.com