UMSL broke ground April 15 for a new $12 million building project at Grand Center that will feature the studios and offices of St. Louis Public Radio and classrooms for the rapidly expanding field of new media.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis broke ground April 15 for a new $12 million building project that will feature the studios and offices of St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU and classrooms for the rapidly expanding field of new media.

“This facility will allow us to enhance St. Louis Public Radio’s delivery of quality programming, and expand into completely new fields in media studies,” UMSL Chancellor Tom George said. “By utilizing the professional and technological resources of a newly equipped St. Louis Public Radio, along with such partners as Nine Network of Public Media and the St. Louis Beacon, we will offer classes in the latest media and communication technology.”

George said the building, located at 3651 Olive Street, “establishes a UMSL presence” in St. Louis’ arts and entertainment district. The project also will include offices for UMSL’s arts internships, student teaching and charter school programs already established in Grand Center. Completion is scheduled for spring 2012.

The university has a lease/purchase agreement with BC Development of Kansas City, Mo.  A fundraising campaign is expected to raise $10 million. UMSL has committed $2 million to the project.

S.M. Wilson and Company of St. Louis has been selected as developer for the three-story, 27,000 sq. ft. building. Design architects are Heather Woofter and Sung Ho Kim of Axi:Ome, LLC. Chiodini Associates serves as architect of record. Both companies are based in St. Louis. Larry Eisenberg, university architect for the University of Missouri System, is project manager.