Tenants search for new housing as MU prepares to demolish Manor House

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some students at the University of Missouri are looking for new housing after the university decided to demolish the building next year.

Around 75 people currently live in Manor House, according to the university. The apartments, which are located on Hitt Street, are intended for students who are married or 21 years or older.

The University of Missouri said the decision to tear down the building shouldn't as a surprise. Officials said they'd been looking at the possibility for several years now but didn't move forward because of the university's housing needs at the time.

Christian Basi, director of media relations for MU, said that one of the reasons for the demolition is costly repairs.

"It currently has $13.6 million worth of deferred maintenance," Basi said.

Students who live in Manor House have the advantage of living within walking distance to class and downtown.

One student said that he just moved into the apartments in January. He said the announcement makes him unhappy because he doesn't have a car and the location at 306 Hitt street is the best of both worlds for him.

Basi said the university feels the current on-campus and off-campus housing options meet the needs of students. He said attempting to repair the building could raise the cost for students.

John Keller, a graduate student at MU, said he didn't feel the building was that bad and he would have been okay with an increase.

"I wouldn't have a problem if they raised the rent you know like a couple hundred bucks," Keller said.

MU said it has been in contact with students living in Manor House and had various meetings to discuss their concerns.

"We had multiple meeting opportunities for the students. We had a couple of meetings that we were inviting the students to where they could come masks as a group," Basi said. "We also had office hours where students could come in individually talk about that."

Basi said if a student plans to move somewhere else on campus, the university will help them move, and if they choose to move off-campus, the university will supply some moving items.

The students are expected to be moved out of the Manor House by June 2022. Some students said they already have their eyes on Tara Apartments on Ashland Road, which is another graduate student housing apartment.