“The mixed-use student housing redevelopment project will contain approximately 1,300 beds aimed to meet the demands of UCF’s growing enrollment, and will feature state of the art amenities including a community center, restaurants and shops, a resort-style pool and parking garage,” said Gina Cowart, a vice president and spokesperson with American Campus Communities, the company building the project.

“The new development has received enthusiastic support from the local neighborhood and government as they are excited to have this new addition to the community,” Cowart told KnightNews.com

But while the new facility will be fancier and much more modern, not everyone is happy about the changes coming to The Plaza, across from UCF. Several popular college bars, like Knight Library, FUBAR and Underground Bluz, will be bulldozed to make way for the fancy new facility.

And some businesses, like Anmol Indian Cuisine and the Underground Bluz bar, were told they must close their doors by the end of this month, according to Bryan Eastman, Deputy Campaign Manager for the the Shayan Elahi for Florida House campaign.

The Elahi campaign held a press conference outside Underground Bluz Thursday, and alleged certain businesses, like Underground Bluz, were only given a few weeks of notice to move. “Anmol moved out last week as a result,” Eastman told KnightNews.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGtkCV1zSNk

“We have been accommodating and are working with the current retail tenants regarding the plans to vacate the shopping center for demolition, which should be underway by the end of 2012,” Cowart told KnightNews.com. “We have communicated all timelines well in advance of what is required by law so current tenants have ample time to find alternate locations or plans.”

Cowart also reiterated that the new facility will also have retail space for tenants — which students will also be able to enjoy. And there’s already interest.

“We are currently in the process of accepting and reviewing tenant applications for the retail space,” Cowart told KnightNews.com.

But before the new facility can open, there will be that inevitable period where The Plaza that so many students spent some of the best times of their lives will be filled with construction workers instead of college students.

While the demolition is expected the begin by the end of this year, Cowart said construction completion is targeted for fall 2014.

But while the future of The Station seems more certain than the classic bars facing demolition in The Plaza, it will have to compete — at least initially — with students who may want to hang on to what little time they have left living it up at the college bars that have become such a big part of UCF history.

Like Us For UCF News Updates on Facebook:    

It’s still not clear whether Knight Library, FUBAR, Lazy Moon and other popular shops at The Plaza will reopen, or close their doors for good.

Check back to KnightNews.com for special coverage of these historic changes coming to the UCF area, and for updates on what the businesses will do.

See more pictures of the new plaza on the next page, below:

Day view of The New Plaza

Opening for Mac was The Come Up, followed by The Cool Kids.

Hundreds of students and fans were at the concert enjoying the music and celebrating the underground holiday, 4/20.

Check out photos from the concert.

KC & the Sunshine Band - Universal

With more than 100 million records sold, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards, along with an American Music Award, the band has garnered a huge following.

For more information on Universal Mardi Gras tickets and pricing for concerts, and how you can see KC & the Sunshine Band Saturday, click the banner below for info:

Plain White T’s hits the Universal Mardi Gras stage Friday, March 30 at 8:30 p.m. Known for songs like, “Hey There Delilah,” the band has been quoted with the following philosophy: “With a plain white T, there are no limits there. You can wear it with anything. You can put anything on it. It’s that blank canvas—kind of like your imagination when you’re a kid.”

Prince Royce, Universal Mardi Gras Performer

Then, on Saturday, March 31, Prince Royce takes the Universal Mardi Gras stage at 9:30 p.m. Born and raised in the Bronx, Geoffrey Royce Rojas is exposing more people to bachata music. His song “Corazon Sin Cara” was No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin songs chart and No. 2 on the pop songs chart.

Prince Royce will be bringing that latin flavor to Universal Orlando Saturday.

Get information on special ticket pricing for Florida residents, and more details at the link below:

Lines of people stretched all around the block party fence, waiting to get a chance to go into one of the craziest block parties in Orlando. Partygoers enjoyed Irish Car Bombs, Green Beer, and Guinness Drinks all day and into the night. Everyone dressed to theme, with one person donning nothing but green apron, and anotherwho dyed their hair completely green!

Overall, the event turnout was huge, and even inside Knight Library/Dungeon it was packed to the brim. Knightnews.com put together a video that shows the night in a nutshell:

Roxy’s YOLO made this contest possible. Buses to Roxy Orlando leave tonight … UCF Arena by 10:30 … In the Plaza Next to El Cerro at 10:45 … Text 754-581-4497 to get your seat.

The wait time on the iPad 3 is 2-3 weeks plus shipping time, so if you don’t have one yet, this is a win it before you can buy it opportunity. If KnightNews has 8,700 Facebook fans by April 6th, we will close the contest that day – otherwise the contest is extend to April 13th. In addition to the required “liking”, get the word out, by tweeitng, +1′ing, etc so we give it away sooner.

Roxy is sending party buses to UCF to drive students to YOLO. If ordered in advance, $10 will cover the bus ride and cover your entrance into Roxy. You can text “YOLO BUS” to 754-581-4497 to order tickets. The price increases to $12 at the door.

On Saturday, April 7th, 2012 YOLO will be hosting YOLO Music Festival with Mister Gray headlining.

Here’s how to enter the contest:

Step 1: Like this story! The more likes we have the faster we’ll give it away!

Step 2: Visit http://www.facebook.com/knightnews/app_190322544333196

Step 3: Our Facebook fans can then fill out the information to register to win the tickets:

Good luck! We’ll announce the winner live on KnightNews.com by April 16th. If you have any questions about how to register, email us at news@knightnews.com. Also, see the full terms and conditions on the next page:

J. Cole

According to Universal’s Facebook page for J. Cole’s concert, he has been called “the next game-changing rapper.” He’s had hits including “The Come Up,” “The Warm Up” and “Friday Night Lights.”

At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, Sugar Ray will make his appearance on the Universal Mardi Gras stage. The group became big in the 90′s with hits like “Every Morning,” “Someday” and “When it’s Over.” The song that launched Sugar Ray to stardom was “Fly.”

Get information on tickets to see the concerts below:

Universal brings Big Time Rush

Now, Saturday March 10 at 8:30 p.m., Universal Orlando says it’s bringing this gigantic hit with fans of all ages, including Kendall, the leader, James, the ladies’ man, Logan, the brains and Carlos, who gets the laughs.

“Their chemistry is genuine both on the show and in their music, and fans can’t get enough of them,” Universal’s website says.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EDCpDXMowc

The band launched its 2012 “Better With U” tour, where they perform from songs from their newest album, Elevate. That comes after the band’s debut album, BTR. That one sold more than 500,000 copies, Universal says.

Some of their hit songs include: “Boyfriend,” “Big Night,” “Music Sounds Better With U,” “Worldwide,” “Til I Forget About You.” Find out more about how to get tickets to Universal Mardi gras to watch this concert by clicking the banner below:

Universal Studios is bringing big names all Spring for its Universal Mardi Gras concerts parties, and KnightNews.com is giving away three tickets so you and your friends can go for free!

It’s easy to enter the contest for your chance to get into Universal Studios at 5 p.m., ride the movies, then enjoy the concert that night feature big names like B.o.B., Plaine White T’s, J Cole and Sugar Ray.

Here’s how to enter the contest:

Step 1: Like this story so your friends enter as well — if they win, they can take you since they found out from your page!

Step 2: Visit Facebook.com/knightnews and then click on the welcome tab on the left to register. (See Welcome tag in red box, below)

Step 3: Our Facebook fans can then fill out the information to register to win the tickets:

Good luck! We’ll announce the winner live on KnightNews.com by March 24. If you have any questions about how to register, email us at news@knightnews.com. Also, see the full terms and conditions on the next page:

The band will hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. Known for its hit singles such as “Name,” “Slide” and “Black Balloon,” the Goo Goo Dolls have sold more than 10 million albums since 1986.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im8e_njsWEA

“Slide,” according to Wikipedia, “was released in September 1998 as the first commercial single release[1] from their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl. The song reached number one on both the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart and the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number eight on the Hot 100 chart in late 1998 and early 1999.”

For information on how to get tickets to Goo Goo Dolls at Universal, or to see other Universal Orlando Mardi Gras concerts, click the banner below: