Chancellor, CFO share latest vision for second phase of Gateway District

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas leaders today shared their latest vision for the second phase of the Gateway District project.

Located at the northeast corner of campus, the project began in November 2023 with renovations to the west and north sides of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the development of a conference center in the stadium’s north bowl. Now, the university turns its attention to the second phase of the project, which seeks to develop new facilities that benefit the Lawrence campus community while driving economic growth in the region.

Specifically, the second phase of the project calls for the development of new retail, dining, parking, residential facilities and a hotel, which would fully activate the district to attract out-of-town guests for conferences and events throughout the year. Phase II also includes development of the east grandstands of the football stadium.

“We are excited to share our vision for the next phase of the Gateway District project,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, who shared the university’s latest plans in a video presentation with Jeff DeWitt, the university’s chief financial officer. “The Gateway District represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our campus in a way that benefits students, faculty and staff while also generating tremendous economic growth for Lawrence and the region. This project has received tremendous support from stakeholders throughout our community, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners as we move forward.”

The chancellor and CFO’s video presentation covers a range of topics such as the extensive due diligence process that has been undertaken; potential financing models; economic benefits for Lawrence; partnerships with state and municipal leaders; and how the district will provide much-needed new parking and student housing inventory to benefit surrounding neighborhoods.

“Lawrence is one of the coolest college towns in the country,” DeWitt said. “But the reality is, we are in competition with other universities and other communities when it comes to recruiting students, guests and new businesses. The Gateway District project represents an unprecedented opportunity for KU to enhance its campus while also strengthening Lawrence’s status as one of the nation’s best and most dynamic college towns.”

View the full video presentation with Girod and DeWitt and an accompanying slide deck.