University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's plans for the former Columbia St. Mary's Hospital, including relocating its Honors College and creating temporary office and classroom space, are moving forward with a zoning change recommended by the city Plan Commission.

UWM last year bought the 11-acre site for $20.2 million. The property, which UWM calls its Northwest Quadrant, has seven buildings totaling 828,000 square feet, as well as 962 parking spaces.

The university is still working on long-range plans for the property.

The hospital's buildings could be used to consolidate health sciences academic and research functions now scattered around campus, LeRoy Stoner, an associate professor and chairman of a faculty committee studying uses for the property, has said.

Other possible uses include additional classroom space; a central location for student services, such as financial aid and the enrollment office; and a small amount of student housing, Stoner said.

More immediate plans include having the Honors College move there this fall. Also, faculty offices and classrooms at Bolton Hall will move there by fall so Bolton can be remodeled with new heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.

That's according to Christy Brown, UWM vice chancellor for finance and administration, who spoke before the Plan Commission this week. By December 2012, the UWM Children's Center will move there so its location can be demolished to make way for the new Kenwood Integrated Research Center.

The hospital complex also will eventually have an Honors College residence hall for 100 to 200 students, Brown said. That's to open in 2015.

Meanwhile, the 788-space parking structure will be for students only, with 174 surface lot spaces reserved for faculty and staff.