Last year, UMB purchased the foreclosed Bayside Exposition center. Chancellor Motley spoke about Umass’ plans in his State of the University Address. “The purchase of the Bayside Expo property presents to the university an important opportunity to put into action these core principles related to community engagement,” said Motley.  “Here is an opportunity to really engage with people from all segments of the community to think about how that property can be used to benefit the community, the city, and the work of the University.”

The Bayside Expo Center opened in January 1983, first hosting the Town Fair World of Wheels event. In the past, the center was the largest exhibition center in New England and was well known especially for its exhibitions for auto, skiing and flower enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it lost many clients when the Hynes Convention Center opened. The foreclosed expo center was bought from Florida-based real estate firm, LNR/CMAT before being sold to UMB.

In his address, Chancellor Motley made sure to emphasize that in Umass’ expansion the university would be sure to keep the local community in mind. He addressed listeners with doubts about the purchase, “some of the unavoidable fallout from the purchase is that some people are a bit nervous about our intentions. I have, however, remained consistent with the message that we are insistent about a wide and inclusive process of gathering input from stakeholders in this community… Our goal is to lead and work with the community to make this peninsula a destination point for all residents of Boston, and visitors, as well as a point of high service to local residents and workers, not the least of which are our students and employees.”

Umass plans to use the site to build a new science facility that will be called the Integrated Sciences Complex, as well as a building for academic offices, classrooms, performing art spaces, and research labs for biology, chemistry, EEOS (environmental, Earth, and Ocean Sciences), physics and psychology. UMB hopes to use the space to provide more parking, and as a place for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, a non-profit that aims to educate the public on the importance of the senate. The University hopes to break ground on the project this spring, and have the Integrated Sciences Center open by Fall 2013.