Charles R. Perry Construction Yard

Honoree

Charles “Chuck” R. Perry

Charles “Chuck” R. Perry was one of Gainesville’s largest builders and his influence extends far beyond the many structures that grace UF and the community. Chuck laid the foundation for advances in education at UF, the quality of life in Gainesville and the recognition and training of construction craftspeople.

Growing up poor in Winter Park, Chuck hitched a ride to Gainesville in 1954 to start his freshman year at UF. His college years were interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy before receiving his bachelor of science degree in 1960 from what was then the Building Construction Department. In 1968 Chuck founded the Gainesville-based Charles Perry Construction company. An astute businessman, Perry’s company rapidly grew to make him one of the most successful businessmen in the area.

In 1993, Perry Co. founded another construction related company, PPI. Despite his success, Chuck’s down-to-earth nature coupled with his compassion and appreciation for the contributions of others led to extraordinary philanthropy at UF and in the community. Throughout his career, Chuck sought to improve the education of construction managers to help shape the quality of construction nationwide. Charles R. Perry died in 2005 but his legacy continues to improve the lives of future generations through his generous financial support of building construction education at UF.

Facility History

The Charles R. Perry Construction Yard is a demonstration area for crafts with an outdoor teaching amphitheater. The facility has a green roof, which is the first on UF’s campus. The construction yard houses the Charles R. Perry Program for Crafts Awareness and is located adjacent to Rinker Hall on the corner of Newell Drive and Inner Road.