On eve of TCU game, Kansas Athletics unveils plans for football facilities overhaul

The University of Kansas is moving forward with its project to renovate the football stadium, KU’s athletic department announced Friday in naming HNTB as the lead architect in partnership with Lawrence-based Multistudio and Nation’s Group.

The entire “11th and Mississippi Project” aims to transform the area near the intersection of 11th and Mississippi streets with new facilities that could include a mix of conference and entertainment space, retail space and other functions.

The project, set to break ground next year, will feature prominently what KU calls “major upgrades to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.”

In a news release about the project, Kansas Athletics notes that Memorial Stadium, constructed in 1921, is one of the nation’s oldest football venues. The university’s aim, the release states, is to “create a world-class experience for fans while providing Kansas Football the facilities it needs to compete at the highest level, as well as renovations to the Anderson Family Football Complex.”

Meeting with reporters Friday, KU athletic director Travis Goff said: “We won’t cut any corners on what it’s going to take to have an incredible fan experience. Profound is what the outcome will be.”

No dollar amount for the project was mentioned in the Friday news release. But Goff was later asked specifically if $350 million would cover the total cost.

“That’s what I believe we have … that’s in the Board of Regents-approved kind of rolling annual budget,” he said, not committing to that figure.

The project, KU says in the release, “will start with renovations to Anderson Family Football Complex, as well as site preparation work related to storm water, sanitation, Wi-Fi availability and electrical system upgrades, in the first half of 2023. KU will select a construction manager in the weeks ahead.”

The project will be funded primarily by “private donations, economic development funds, premium seating sales in the stadium, and future development opportunities that will be created on the site,” according to the news release.

Goals for a reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, KU said, “include upgrades to the in-game experience such as seating bowl design with improved sightlines that increase fan comfort and bring fans closer to the field; expanded concessions, restrooms and accessible seating locations; improved concourse circulation; and new premium amenities such as club seats, loge seats and ledge suites.

“Stadium design will include multi-use spaces to augment any convention and conference facilities that may be part of the project. Kansas Athletics is partnering with Elevate Sports Ventures to conduct fan focus groups to solicit feedback on what fans want in a reimagined stadium. Additionally, Elevate recently completed a survey to understand what seating options and amenities are most important to fans.”

“This project is unmatched in its vision to benefit a broad range of KU constituents while signaling a new era for Kansas Football,” Goff noted in the news release.

“Once complete, this project will ensure our football program has the facilities it needs to compete at the highest level and provide the best-possible game day experience for student-athletes and fans. Moreover, we are thrilled this project goes beyond football to benefit the entire university and the regional economy.”

The university’s architecture and design partners will meet next week with KU football coach Lance Leipold to discuss improvements to the Anderson Family Football Complex, which will focus on the student-athlete and recruitment experience.

“This project will have a profound impact on the future of Kansas Football and the entire community,” Leipold said. “It will specifically impact our current and future football players, who will now have a state-of-the-art facility to train in. With an up-to-date facility and a commitment to improve Anderson Family Football Complex, our day-to-day operation will be more efficient and effective. This is an exciting time for Kansas Football, and this certainly adds to it.”

“Now, more than ever, college athletics — and certainly sustained success in the sport of football — are critical to the health and vibrancy of our entire university community,” Goff said. “There is tremendous excitement for this project among donors and partners who believe in KU’s mission, and in partnership with KU Endowment, we’ll be reaching out in earnest to our benefactors and supporters to ensure this ambitious vision becomes reality.”

KU has commissioned an economic impact study to analyze the effect of potential mixed-use space that would be developed as part of the project. Additionally, the university will soon begin the process of selecting a project developer to help formulate a vision for how the mixed-use facilities in and around the reimagined football stadium could be used, KU stated in its release.

Additional details about the project will be provided in the weeks ahead.