Recently, many universities have sought to breakdown these images through economic and social investment in their cities. An example of this trend can be found in Tampa, Florida. Last month, the University of South Florida (USF), along with the City of Tampa and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lighting, unveiled plans for a massive redevelopment project in downtown Tampa. The project would relocate the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and USF Health Heart Institute from their current location on the main USF campus to the downtown Tampa area. The College of Medicine and Heart Institute would join Tampa General Hospital and the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation to create a medical industry hub. In addition to the hub, the redevelopment project would also bring new housing, retail, and office space to create a mixed-use, walkable community downtown. If successful, the downtown redevelopment could produce an economic impact of over $832 million for the state of Florida, according to USF President Judy Genshaft.

The ambitious project, which will take up to ten years to complete pending approval from the Florida Board of Governors, is a part of a larger trend nationally. During the last decade, universities such as Arizona State University in Phoenix, have begun to expand from their campus headquarters into their neighboring communities. From business corridors and innovation hubs to K-12 school and public health initiatives, universities are taking a more proactive role in shaping the opportunities for growth and advancement in their cities. If successful, projects such as the downtown Tampa redevelopment could revolutionize the way universities engage in shaping the future of their cities during the 21st Century.