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MSU board takes step toward new residence hall

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Last edited 10:40 a.m., Feb. 23, 2017

Missouri State University’s Board of Governors Executive Committee approved the development of a new residence hall for students at a Feb. 15 meeting, according to a blog post yesterday by MSU President Clif Smart.

In order to reduce development costs, university officials plan to finance construction through a public-private partnership. Smart did not name a developer for the project or lay out the next steps to secure a contract.

“Through this arrangement, the new residence hall will have positive cash flow,” Smart said in the blog. “Our current residence halls have reached their capacity, and this new residence hall will allow Missouri State to continue to grow its incoming freshman classes for years to come.”

The resolution approved by the committee allows university officials to work with an unnamed developer to define the project’s scope and establish a fixed cost.

Matthew Morris, MSU’s vice president for administrative services, confirmed school officials have been talking to a developer, but they’re not disclosing the name. The resolution refers to a sole responder to the university’s request for information regarding construction of a 400-bed traditional residence hall, which would be located on Holland Avenue within the boundaries of Grand and Harrison streets, according to emails provided by Morris. MSU plans to spend up to $50,000 from the Residence Life Reserve budget for the design development phase, the resolution said.

If school officials and a developer determined the project feasible, Morris indicated construction completion would target fall 2019.

In recent years, Bryan Properties has had a strong hand in the growth of student housing in Springfield.

Bryan Properties manages over 1,000 housing units around MSU and Drury University, and it’s developing the $30 million Bear Village for off-campus student apartments, according to Bryan-Properties.net. Bryan Magers, president and owner of Bryan Properties, could not be reached by deadline.

Also at the meeting, the board approved a contract to renovate Hass-Darr Hall on the West Plains campus, which will be funded through a combination of state bond proceeds, private contributions and university reserves.

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