Paseo Project Adds New Gateway From Historic Boulevard
Friday, June 25, 2021
Plans for the next campus improvement project are quickly taking shape and feature a more prominent entrance from one of Kansas City’s most scenic boulevards – The Paseo.
After gathering internal and external feedback, strategically analyzing space needs and evaluating construction costs and budgets, Rockhurst University is moving forward with plans to build a new residence hall with surface parking at 53rd and The Paseo on the location of the current tennis courts. Given their current level of disrepair and the anticipated use of this space for the Paseo Project, the Hawks men’s and women’s NCAA Division II tennis teams will continue to practice and compete at the Plaza Tennis Center and other venues near campus.
Construction on the new project should begin in late November or early December with an anticipated completion date of May 2023. The facility will be home to 224 students and is meant to fulfill the need for new housing when Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences moves permanently to the Troost campus. It will replace Xavier-Loyola Hall, which is being evaluated for future campus needs.
“This project fulfills the last two strategic needs that were identified as part of the Saint Luke’s acquisition, additional parking and new housing,” said Jason Riordan, associate vice president of facilities. “Most importantly for me, the Paseo project will assist Rockhurst in remaining competitive in the essentials of the student experience and will offer the greatest opportunities for diversity, equity and inclusion amongst our student body.”
A new surface parking lot will be added behind the residential building and 53rd street will be widened and turned into a two-way street with angled parking along the north and south sides. A total of 192 additional parking spaces will be built, a 20 percent increase to campus parking.
The $36 million project will be funded through a joint venture. Rockhurst is partnering with Sunflower Development Group, Gould Evans and JE Dunn on this Design Build project.
