UMKC builds new student union

The University of Missouri-Kansas City and McCownGordon Construction placed the final beam – decorated with the signatures of students, faculty and staff – on the university’s $38.3 million New Student Union building Monday.

Students have outgrown the University Center, which was built in 1961 for a student population of 3,600. With UMKC enrollment projected to increase by 20 percent in 2011, the New Student Union will offer 108,300 square feet of space in which students can congregate.

“With an increased student enrollment, more than 1,000 students living in nearby residential halls and students spending more time on campus, the New Student Union is a crucial element to campus life at UMKC,” said Mel Tyler, vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Using the design-build approach, McCownGordon is working with architecture firm GouldEvans to design and build the four-story student union. The facility will feature a two-story bookstore, 300- to 320-seat theater, open areas for student meetings and congregations, coffee shop, food court, retail space, event space, office space for student organizations, game room, garden terrace and parking garage. The New Student Union is projected to be completed for the 2010 fall semester.

Designed with sustainability at top of mind, the project is seeking LEED Silver certification and includes a green roof, pervious pavers on the garden terrace, use of native landscaping, water-efficient fixtures, daylights and storm water collection.

McCownGordon’s “Eco-Friendly Mobile Office Trailer” is being utilized on site. Fully equipped with solar panels, a wind turbine, composting toilet and other sustainable features.

“The new facility will offer students an open space to congregate together, and embraces several sustainable design and construction principles,” said Ramin Cherafat, vice president for McCownGordon Construction. “It will be a building students can be proud of.”

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