The University of Missouri (MU) made progress on its master plan to develop nonessential land on campus, issuing a Request for Information (RFI) on Oct. 15 to source information from commercial developers. The RFI covers three main development zones covering almost 300 acres across campus.
According to the RFI, the proposed development projects will target university lands in Columbia, Missouri, that are non-essential to the university’s mission, objectives or real estate platform. Officials say the projects could significantly boost school revenue.
The RFI also states that officials will be considering public-private partnerships (P3s) and long-term lease arrangements for mixed-use developments. These include hospitality, entertainment, housing, office and retail developments.
The university will prioritize plans that include the development of an entertainment and hospitality district at any of the applicable sites, as well as plans that follow principles laid out in the university’s 2024 Campus Master Plan. The principles, meant to guide future development, include:
- Clarity, consistency and connectivity: improving wayfinding, visibility and internal cohesion so that movement across campus feels intuitive.
- Promote community through programming and campus organization: arranging spaces and functions to foster interaction, collaboration and vibrancy.
- Build upon legacy while meeting modern needs: respecting historic campus character and open spaces while accommodating growth, sustainability and evolving academic needs.
Along with these guiding concepts, the RFI outlines three major zones of development with several highlighted opportunities. These opportunities include a hotel and/or housing district, mixed-use development such as retail, housing and restaurants, and other housing such as student condos, student market and more.
Along with prioritizing year-round commercial assets that benefit the whole community, the RFI also lists development of the MU Athletics Sports Complex as an important consideration. Officials say they want to enhance the game day experience within the complex, building on the momentum of the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. Laird Veatch, director of athletics, will play a principal role in the development efforts within the complex.
The three zones highlighted for development include:
- Zone 1 (North Campus / Central Business District) – 3.4 acres spread across five individual sites.
- Zone 2 (Core Campus) – 27.3 acres spread across three different sites, including a 12.3-acre site with access to a hiking and biking trail and a 6-acre plot adjacent to student housing and a major utility corridor.
- Zone 3 (Athletics Sports Complex Campus) – 264 total acres, split between a 34-acre lot adjacent to football, basketball and softball venues, and a 230-acre golf course.
A working group has been put together to oversee each stage of the project. The group includes Board Chair Todd Graves, Curator Bob Blitz, Athletics Director Laird Veatch, General Counsel Mark Menghini and Executive Vice President and CFO Ryan Rapp.
The deadline to submit responses to the RFI is Jan. 9. Officials will review the results through early 2026 and issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) with the selected bids.
Photo by nonorganical, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
