University seeks out developers to rebuild child care center

University of Missouri is still seeking a private developer to help operate and build a child care facility where the former University Village once stood.

In 2014 the University say they reached out to many private developers but still haven’t heard back from anyone to this date.

University Spokesman Christian Basi told ABC 17 News that the proposal will still remain open.

Former MU Chancellor Loftin proposed the idea back in 2014. The university would lease land for a child care facility at essentially no cost to a private developer. By providing the land, Loftin expected the operator of the facility to offer discounted rates to MU students, faculty and staff.

University Village was demolished in early 2014 after inspection documents ABC 17 News got showed an architectural firm recommended the building be demolished because it was in such disrepair back in 2008.

Lt. Bruce Britt, with the Columbia Fire Department died while responding to a report of a collapsed roof at the school- owned apartment complex back on February 22, 2014.

Graduate students occupied the building that was demolished. The absence of the building still has impacts to graduate students.

Graduate student, Rachel Bauer has been a student at MU since 2011 told ABC 17 News that not having the extra housing on students has been a struggle.

“It left a little bit of a void of affordable housing that is close to campus. A void that we are still looking to fill in many different ways,” Bauer said.

Bauer also emphasized the need to have a child care facility as soon as possible.

“Not all of the child care facilities are affordable for graduate students or accessible in the way that the student parent was,” Bauer said.

The University says they are still in need of family housing but have not found a solution yet.