The underused retail and cultural hub Grand Center is about to get a new tenant. The University of Missouri-St. Louis has announced that it will move forward with a plan to build a new facility there for KWMU, St. Louis’ NPR affiliate.
A campaign to raise $12 million for a new public radio station building had been on hold while university administrators decided whether to build it on campus or in Grand Center. UM-St. Louis Chancellor Thomas George says the facility is an opportunity to expand the reach of the university.
“The majority of it will be occupied by KWMU but we’re planning to have academic programmatic offerings there, related to, particularly related to communication, related to art, related to music, related to education. And several of our deans are very excited about the programmatic offerings that can be done there in Grand Center,” George said.
Grand Center Incorporated will donate the land where the building will sit. It’s expected to be on Olive Avenue near Grand Avenue, next door to KETC public television studios.
George said there is no timeline to break ground at the site. Work will begin once three-quarters of the money has been raised.
Hmmm, wonder how this will affect KWUR.