A university in Nashville, Tennessee, is planning to develop a new data center on its campus.

Fisk University last week unveiled “Quantum Leap,” a new multi-decade campus master plan.

A core element of the $1 billion plan is a new Innovation Center, a “first-of-its-kind” technology center housed on five acres of undeveloped land on Fisk’s campus.

The 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sqm) facility will encompass 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sqm) of academic space and a 70,000 sq ft (6,503 sqm) technology center that will power “new and existing curriculum and tech-forward interdisciplinary study.”

“Reflecting Fisk University’s commitment to academic excellence and constant advancement, Quantum Leap emboldens Fisk to embrace its next chapter of institutional growth and innovation,” said Dr. Brian L. Nelms, Fisk University provost. “Quantum Leap not only enables us to revitalize our campus but to revolutionize our educational system. With access to state-of-the-art technology, enhanced learning spaces, and greater academic capabilities, Fisk will be able to offer its students unparalleled learning and training opportunities, and Nashville will be poised to grow its skilled workforce.”

Construction works as part of the wider campus plans are due to start “immediately,” though local press said the university will break ground on the technology center later this year. The university is set to take the new facility through planning with the Nashville Metropolitan Planning Commission.

According to local press, the 70,000 sq ft (6,503 sqm), 30MW shell will be set aside for a data center partner that the university will look to bring on board. That part of the project will reportedly total around $400 million.

The facility will be located on land just west of Johnson Gymnasium at the corner of 17th Avenue North and Herman Street, which was previously used as an athletics track. The university said the facility's architecture will be “reflective of Fisk's historic aesthetic and the surrounding community.”

Founded in 1866 to educate freed slaves after the end of the US Civil War, Fisk University is a private historically black liberal arts college in Nashville. It is the oldest institution for higher education in the city, and its campus spans around 40 acres.

Other works as part of the wider campus plan include renovated student halls, an arena for events, upgraded classrooms, and a new annex to the Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery.

“For more than 160 years, Fisk University has played a leading role in shaping some of the nation’s brightest minds, cultivating leaders, expanding access to education, and stewarding American history,” said Dr. Agenia W. Clark, president of Fisk University. “Quantum Leap represents our commitment to building upon our storied legacy while paving the way for sustained growth to ensure Fisk continues to empower its students, faculty, and community. Through our campus master plan, the institution is poised to emerge as a leader in higher education and innovation.”

Though Tennessee is not a major data center market, Nashville is the largest data center hub within the Volunteer State. Operators in the area include Flexential, TierPoint, EdgeConneX, H5, CSquare, RadiusDC, DataBank, and Meta.