The University of North Georgia is looking to implement $19 million in renovations at its Gainesville campus to convert space being vacated by Lanier Technical College.

The new campus being constructed for Lanier Tech off Ga. 365 at Howard Road, set to open in January 2019, will leave empty buildings available for UNG to use to expand programming.

Richard Oates, vice president of the UNG Gainesville campus, said there are no plans to demolish any of the Lanier Tech buildings at this time. Each would be renovated across multiple years and phases.

UNG projects that its enrollment at all campuses will reach 22,950 students by 2025, a 33 percent increase from the current figure, with the Gainesville campus leading the way.

“Gainesville by design is slated to be the fastest growing campus within the university,” Oates said.

Demand for new programs and a need for space to serve projected growth are also compelling officials to explore expanding the Gainesville campus gymnasium, provide a dedicated science building and construct a new performing arts center to go along with the Lanier Tech property renovations.

If all Lanier Tech instructional space was stacked into one building, it would encompass just two-thirds of UNG’s Nesbitt building.

UNG will not occupy the Lanier Tech space until the fall of 2019. Oates said it will be used for disciplines such as geospatial sciences, film and digital media, nursing, visual arts and the office of information technology.

It’s an unexpected but welcome addition that assists the university in meeting the goals established in its 10-year facilities plan, Oates said.