First Student Housing for Hospital Hill Campus Approved

The University of Missouri-Kansas City can pursue its first student housing for the Hospital Hill Campus.

The Board of Curators of the University Missouri System, during a meeting Thursday at UMKC, voted to allow UMKC to issue bonds and send out requests for developers’ proposals. UMKC’s Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy are located on the Hospital Hill Campus, near the intersection of 25th and Holmes streets.

UMKC Chancellor Leo E. Morton said student housing near the Hospital Hill Campus would be an important element in the university’s efforts to grow enrollment in its health professions schools, and a boost to other life-science-related activities in the area.

“About 3,000 students are in our Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy, and we need to grow that enrollment to help meet the growing need for healthcare workers,” Morton said. “Already there are more healthcare jobs than there are qualified people to fill them, and that deficit will grow. We know that 60 percent of our graduates stay in the metro area to practice, so this project will help us attract and retain top talent for the benefit of the region.

“Our mission also calls for us to develop and expand clinical practice initiatives and research opportunities that address community health needs. And we believe that an important element of understanding and appreciating community health needs comes from living in the heart of that community,” Morton added.

Developers’ proposals are due March 5, said Bob Simmons, UMKC Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities. The project calls for about 245 beds in an apartment-style design and 196 parking spaces in a dedicated parking structure. The recommendation is for the student housing to be a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) facility.

City leaders have stated that student housing near the Hospital Hill campus can help in redeveloping the surrounding neighborhoods.  It also could attract restaurants and stores that would give UMKC students a richer campus experience.

About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.

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This information is available to people with speech or hearing impairments by calling Relay Missouri at (800) 735-2966 (TT) or (800) 735-2466 (voice).

 

 


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