UMSL's KWMU to build station in Grand Center

goat314 · PostOct 27, 2009#12009-10-27T22:39+00:00

The University of Missouri-St. Louis, which oversees KWMU and houses the station in a basement on its campus, said today that it is seeking developers for a new 27,000 square foot building at Olive Street and Grand Blvd., with construction to start in the spring.

link: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/buildi ... nd-center/

stl_rising · PostOct 27, 2009#22009-10-27T22:44+00:00

Glad to see this...can't wait to see the design...That corner has just been BRUTAL to look at these last couple years.

dredger · PostOct 28, 2009#32009-10-28T00:38+00:00

So who would be the interested developers? Curious what peopple think. Second, would UMSL go beyond 27,000 ft if a developer came in with a mid rise project that incorporated loft/condo/or additional office above? My thought is that more developers would be interested if greater square footage was involved.

Which got to my other thought. Why not look at other locations in Grand starting with the Metropolitan building. I think UMSL should think bigger when promoting a presence in the city itself.

loftlaw · PostOct 28, 2009#42009-10-28T01:24+00:00

The building is going to be located at 3651 Olive Street next to KETC. That isn't the corner of Grand and Olive.

wheelfru · PostOct 28, 2009#52009-10-28T03:57+00:00

I've walked past the site on my lunch break a number of times since this was announced, and I've always been sort of confused and disappointed. Are they building the new KWMU location in KETC's parking lot? While I'm glad to see a parking lot (or any lot) in Midtown built up, it seems to me that there are many other places they could have chosen. This is a very narrow lot surrounded by a number of empty lots. Don't get me wrong; any development in the neighborhood is fantastic, but what about building out in the much larger parking lot across the street, or in one of the much much larger [completely] vacant lots just a bit further west on Olive?

Alex Ihnen · PostOct 28, 2009#62009-10-28T04:02+00:00

I think that they only need a small space and that the fundraising for the building is a challenge as well. Partnering on a mix-use building or other options could slow the project by years. I think they're making a wise move.

framer · PostOct 28, 2009#72009-10-28T04:40+00:00

I think it's a great site. The building will be three stories, so that block of Olive is really starting to fill in nicely.

Mark Groth · PostMar 24, 2010#82010-03-24T23:26+00:00

I was listening to NPR this morning and they are having a pledge drive, does anyone know if KWMU is still moving to Grand Center? I will gladly donate upon their arrival. Until then, only KDHX will get my $.

Alex Ihnen · PostMar 25, 2010#92010-03-25T01:08+00:00

They are moving. The have the site and when they have the money they'll break ground.

rbb · PostMar 25, 2010#102010-03-25T16:49+00:00

Grover, do you have any idea how close they are to having the needed moneys?

-RBB

Alex Ihnen · PostMar 25, 2010#112010-03-25T17:07+00:00

I'll ask....

debaliviere · PostMar 25, 2010#122010-03-25T19:30+00:00

This is one project that I'm very excited about, especially since UMSL will be using some of the new building for classroom/performance space.

It might be even cooler to have UMSL/KWMU lease space in a renovated Metropolitan Building (how great would it be to have the radio studios facing Grand, like WGN's studios on Michigan Ave.?), but this will be excellent as well.

I hope we see more involvement by UMSL in Grand Center in the future.

Alex Ihnen · PostMar 26, 2010#132010-03-26T02:59+00:00

alexihnen wrote:I'll ask....

Well, KWMU is committed to the new location, no new news there, and they're likely to break ground this summer. The facility at UMSL isn't up to par with what they need/want, so I think they'd like to move soon. I think they have enough money to move forward, get financing, whatever they need to do, though they do not have the total cost in-hand - that's also no new news as generally no organization raises 100% of needed funds before starting a new building or project.

rbb · PostMar 26, 2010#142010-03-26T12:55+00:00

Thanks Alex - really appreciate the update!

-RBB

bikinʹ_man · PostMar 26, 2010#152010-03-26T14:24+00:00

is this going to take up the whole lot at olive and grand, part of it, or is it going on that parking lot on the southwest corner?

Alex Ihnen · PostMar 26, 2010#162010-03-26T14:40+00:00

Looking back at the last P-D story (Oct 2009) - UMSL/KWMU had raised $5.4M of the $12M estimated building cost. That's really quite a lot. With that amount in-hand I'm a bit surprised that they haven't broken ground yet. Anyway, the building is planned to be 27,000 sq ft and the parking lot is approximately 18,000 sq ft. I can't find it now, but I thought I'd read that the building would be two stories? That would be a shame given the location between two of Grand Center's tallest buildings.

framer · PostJul 09, 2010#172010-07-09T04:19+00:00

Just got word that the new building will be very modern, with lots of glass and interaction with the street. They hope to start work by the end of the year.

debaliviere · PostJul 09, 2010#182010-07-09T13:26+00:00

Framer wrote:Just got word that the new building will be very modern, with lots of glass and interaction with the street. They hope to start work by the end of the year.

OUTSTANDING! Perfect for Grand Center.

Alex Ihnen · PostJul 09, 2010#192010-07-09T14:50+00:00

Been meaning to post these - I think I put them out on Twitter some time ago...

moorlander · PostJul 09, 2010#202010-07-09T15:41+00:00

I'm still confused as to the exact location... Will this be on the open lot caddy corner from Big Bros Big sistas?

debaliviere · PostJul 09, 2010#212010-07-09T15:57+00:00

Moorlander wrote:I'm still confused as to the exact location... Will this be on the open lot caddy corner from Big Bros Big sistas?

It will be on the vacant lot on Olive, in between Channel 9's studios and the sky blue office building.

moorlander · PostJul 09, 2010#222010-07-09T16:12+00:00

great thanks!

tt · PostJul 09, 2010#232010-07-09T19:38+00:00

It will be located on the north side west of the blue Teachers retirement building and east of Channel 9 building. Across the street is Scottish Rite garage and parking lot.

bchao524 · PostJul 17, 2010#242010-07-17T04:18+00:00

According to KMOV, construction should start soon on the new KWMU HQ in Grand Center.

Davis adds NPR affiliate, KWMU, will continue to add to Grand Center’s reputation when their new station and offices on Olive open in August, 2011. Construction on that project is set to begin next month, said Davis.

More interesting than that bit of information though is this:

A 136-room Hyatt Place Hotel could soon be towering over the once struggling neighborhood as well. Schoemehl hopes to finish financing the hotel project by the end of the year, which would renovate the old Missouri Theatre building just south of Powell Hall.

The entire article can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/28bcoub

stl pride · PostJul 17, 2010#252010-07-17T17:54+00:00

this is sad... first comment on the story and its a negative one

"It remains a dangerous area and won't change that unless the City of St. Louis makes the unusual decision to get tough on crime. As it stands, St. Louis is avoided by visitors and conventions because of the dangerous crime situation. The Grand Area abounds with lowlifes looking for opportunities to prey upon the public."

Why do people always feel the need to trash the city for crime anytime there is a story of the city progressing?