In December, UF students will say farewell to the Institute of Black Culture building of the past 44 years.
The IBC, which opened in 1972, is being torn down and rebuilt at a new location, said Khyra Keeley, the social justice and advocacy chair for UF Black Affairs. The new structure, located on West University Avenue, is expected to be finished in Spring 2018.
The project will be completed using a budget of $3.3 million, which will also be used to rebuild La Casita, which is next door to the IBC, Keeley said. The current IBC will be torn down before the end of the year.
Keeley said the rebuild is sad but necessary. With mold and mildew present, the house is unsafe for students to be in. Some windows are boarded, and it is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, making it inaccessible to some.
“The house is pretty much decrepit,” the 20-year-old UF political science and African-American studies junior said.
The IBC opened Feb. 11, 1972 after protests at Tigert Hall demanded UF to be more inclusive of black students, she said.
“People have fought for us to have this space,” she said. “It’s a space for black students to come and know they are supported, valued and welcomed.”
Kalimah Ujaama, 20, said she is excited for the new house but hopes it keeps the same feeling of home as the original building.
“It’s definitely going to be a good change,” the UF political science sophomore said. “It needs to have some modern updates.”
Faculty want students to give their ideas of what should be included in the design of the new space.
Ujaama said she wants there to be a large room for people to gather and host events, a big television, a memory room honoring accomplishments of black students at UF and a place to nap.
“It’s a good ending,” she said. “Everyone still has time to be a part before it closes.”
