Watch CBS News

UMass Plans To Open Academic Site In Downtown Boston

BOSTON (AP) — The University of Massachusetts says it plans to boost its presence in downtown Boston by opening an academic and administrative building in 2016.

All five of the UMass campuses will be given the chance to offer classes at the Beacon Street facility near the Statehouse. University officials say those classes will serve people who work in the city and want to continue their education.

UMass president Robert Caret said the new facility, to be known as the UMass Center on Beacon Hill, represents a major step forward for the school.

Caret and other administrators will move there from their current Franklin Street offices.

The school has signed a 15-year lease beginning January 2016 for the 31st and 32nd floors of the building, which will also house the UMass Club, a meeting place for alumni.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.