According to a UKnow press release, the University of Kentucky will be moving the College of Fine Arts into University Lofts by fall of 2013. UK recently bought University Lofts and will be continuing with the already existing leases. Once these leases are up, UK will be renovating the lofts to create a more suitable environment for the College of Fine Arts. UK College of Fine Arts is currently located in the Reynolds Building No. 1 on campus which has many issues, making the space unsuitable for students and faculty.
“The University Lofts building can be a safer building. It is on a well-lit major road across the street from campus and close to other housing and businesses frequented by students. The building itself has a good roof, windows and exterior walls, sound stairways, solid electrical supply and a good elevator; and it does not have the safety, access and site drainage issues associated with the Reynolds Building”, said Bob Wiseman, Vice President for Facilities Management.
The search for a new academic building to house the College of Fine Arts started several years ago. The move to University Lofts will allow the entire Fine Arts Department to be under one roof and will give students more space and allow more room for the University’s new dance minor program beginning in the fall.
