MU considering commercial development deals on “nonessential” properties around campus
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -
University of Missouri leaders are considering public-private partnerships to turn some properties around campus into money-making developments.
UM System President Mun Choi told the Board of Curators on Friday that the school is considering taking "nonessential" properties to work with commercial developers on to make money. That could include projects like hotels, restaurants or student housing.
Choi said the school would soon put out a request for information to commercial developers to learn more about what they could do. A formal request for qualification would follow to hire a firm to perform the work.
Choi split the areas in Columbia for development into three zones. Zone 1 includes most of downtown Columbia between Broadway and the Francis Quadrangle. Zone 2 comprises much of the main MU campus. Zone 3 stretches across the school's many athletic complexes south of Stadium Boulevard, from A.L. Gustin golf course to the softball stadium.
Universities have often pursued public-private partnerships to develop around town. The University of Tennessee partnered with RISE Real Estate in 2023 to build new student housing. Ohio State University's parking has been run through a public-private partnership since 2012.
Choi said no decisions have been made yet on where to develop or what to build. Curators Todd Graves and Bob Blitz will help lead the process, which Choi promised would take in public input.
