The Newell Entry and Northeast Gateway projects were two priority projects within the University of Florida’s Landscape Master Plan selected for their contribution to the university’s pursuit for preeminence, through their transformative design and their establishment of an important campus standard. GAI’s Community Solutions Group led the design, implementation and SITES certification for these two entries, renewed in the traditional design materials and language of the historic campus.

These two projects presented an opportunity for the university to lead the way in addressing sustainable land development and management practices through using the SITES v2 rating system. The project team not only achieved gold-level certifications for both projects, but also were the first to achieve gold-level certifications using the SITES v2 rating system in Florida. The successful completion of the SITES certification process shows that we can lead the way in addressing sustainable land development and management practices, as well as improve the quality of our built environment and strengthening the connection between the land and the people who live there.