University of Maryland Makes Strides Toward Greater College Park

COLLEGE PARK, Md., June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anchoring the University of Maryland's efforts to enhance the academic campus and the surrounding communities, plans for Greater College Park were announced today. Greater College Park ties together the many efforts that support the university's goal of becoming a premier college town.

Greater College Park brings together three inter-related components:  1) Dynamic academic spaces including A. James Clark Hall, the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Innovation, the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center and the new Cole Field House; 2) A vibrant downtown community that provides amenities such as The Hotel at the University of Maryland; and 3) A public-private research hub that brings together private businesses and the university's academic community in the research park and innovation district.

"The future of the University of Maryland is tied to the future of our surrounding community," said President Wallace D. Loh.  "The University is a thriving $500 million research enterprise with the world's best faculty, students and staff and brims with labs, makerspaces and start-ups.  Greater College Park defines the vision for our collective efforts and strategic partnerships that will transform College Park into a premier college town, with public-private partnerships, innovative academic spaces and world-class amenities for our campus community."

"Over the last two decades, the University of Maryland has transformed itself from a quality state university into one of the nation's premier research and academic institutions," said Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.  "It is imperative for the City of College Park, as well as surrounding communities throughout Prince George's County, to use the success of the University of Maryland to grow our economy by spurring business growth, job opportunities, retaining students and faculty to live in Prince George's County and creating an environment of innovation to support and mutually benefit both the University of Maryland and Prince George's County.  The Greater College Park vision and collaboration is a smart and strategic plan to help us achieve the goal of making College Park one of the best college towns in the nation."  

The vision for Greater College Park is the result of collaborative partnerships with Prince George's County, the city of College Park, the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, the College Park City-University Partnership, UMD alumni and local developers.

"The accomplishments outlined today demonstrate we are making great strides to becoming a top 20 university community," said Eric Olson, Executive Director, College Park City-University Partnership.  "Together, the University, City, and County are fulfilling the 2020 University District Vision, which calls for a more vibrant downtown, greater transportation choices, stronger public education, and a safe, sustainable community." 

About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes three Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 47 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. The institution has a $1.8 billion operating budget, secures $500 million annually in external research funding and recently completed a $1 billion fundraising campaign. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit www.umd.edu.

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SOURCE University of Maryland

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