KU stadium renovation part of north campus overhaul
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KU's newly renovated stadium. Photo: Courtesy of Dimensional Innovations
Jayhawks fans attending football games this fall might be impressed with the newly renovated stadium, but that's just the beginning for KU's north campus.
Why it matters: More construction is on the way as leaders seek to remake a part of campus primarily used for parking into a multipurpose college hub.
The big picture: The planned Gateway District will act as a welcome mat for the University of Kansas, funneling students and visitors into a multipurpose plaza — all pointing toward the stadium and campus' landmark campanile.
- "The Northern District of KU holds many of the most iconic landscape elements … as well as signature buildings," John Wilkins, managing principal of Multistudio, the project's contracted architectural firm, tells Axios. "The Gateway District creates spaces that allow people to experience the beauty of the campus."
Zoom in: Phase one, which included David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium's renovation along with a new conference center and updated team facility, wrapped up in August.
- Phase two — which will add student housing, food and drink retail, office space, and a parking garage — will begin immediately after the 2025 football season, according to Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate spokesperson Laura Petersen.
By the numbers: The projected total cost is $808 million, according to The Lawrence Times, which is funded through donations, developers, state and local governments.
- It's expected to bring in nearly $2 billion in spending over the next 20 years, according to the chancellor's office.
Fun fact: Many of the KC-based firms involved in the project's construction and design include KU alumni, including Sunflower Development Group, HNTB, Multistudio, and Dimensional Innovations.
- "The sense of pride we all had for getting to work on The Booth can't be expressed," Justin Wood, principal at DI and Jayhawks alum, tells Axios. "We had 50 DI-ers at the game last Friday."
What we're watching: The University of Missouri is also undergoing a massive stadium renovation for the venue's 100th anniversary, scheduled for completion in 2026.