This month, the Southtown Beautification Committee is doubling your pleasure with two “Sparkle” projects! In August, the $17M Herman and Dorothy Johnson Hall opened with housing for 328 students to accommodate the growth in enrollment and UMKC’s mission to place students at the center of the campus. By dividing residents into eight 41-person communities (wings), the Hall helps students form friendships. The students also can gather in a social lounge, kitchen, classroom and music practice rooms. The Herman and Dorothy Johnson Hall supports UMKC’s sustainability initiatives by being LEED Certified and extends west to the Trolley Track Trail on the east side of Brookside Blvd. The new facility replaces the Cherry Street Dormitory that will be renovated for offices.
Secondly, the $9M Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium and Recreational Field provides UMKC school athletes (including the new UMKC Women’s Soccer team), students and community groups with one of the top soccer facilities in the Summit League and the Midwest. Moreover, this amenity adds to the growing vibrant campus life of the UMKC campus. The $5M gift from the Durwood Foundation and its trustees, the largest single commitment to UMKC Athletics, to construct this stadium is another in their long history of supporting a variety of UMKC initiatives. UMKC programs, intramural athletes and the approved community sports teams have access to this soccer, softball and track facility. There is seating for 850, locker rooms and offices, concession areas and an outdoor track.
Congratulations to the University of Missouri, Kansas City and thanks for the continuing investment made to the community.