Senator William Jennings Bryan assisted in the fund-raising for the Florida Union, and he was aided by the students who agreed to pay an extra fee so that the facility could be built.

However, in time, the sentiment was that this building was too small and a new student union would have to be erected to meet the demands.

[1] Plans for the new facility were crafted in 1948, however the project wasn't approved until May 1962. Financing for the union was accomplished by a statewide revenue certificate program for higher education generated and supported by fees of students of all state institutions of Florida.

The financial start was in October 1951, when the student body voted a small fee to be set aside for the construction of this facility.

The expansion, which is connected to the Reitz Union through an expanded food court, includes a parking garage, along with a new bookstore.

The bookstore, along with the student ID card services, replaced existing facilities located at The Hub.

The construction included offices and support space for student organizations and space for Student Government, offices and program space for the David and Wanda Brown Center for Leadership and Service, the Department of Student Activities and Involvement, the Office of Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, Reitz Union Programs and GatorWell Health Promotion Services.

Shops are owned by both corporations and the University, and upper levels contain meeting rooms for student organizations and a hotel.

Inside the union is a bicycle repair facility, sponsored by the University of Florida Student Government.