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UMSL programs, radio station moving to Grand Center
The University of Missouri-St. Louis has decided that the new home for its award-winning radio station, KWMU (90.7 FM), will be on Olive Street in Grand Center, the St. Louis arts and entertainment district. The new three-story facility also will include space for academic programs, galleries and performances.
"We were originally asked to consider moving the radio station to Grand Center, but the faculty and students felt we should look at this as a larger opportunity to expand our programs and services. And that's what we've done," UMSL Chancellor Thomas George said. "This move will help us improve the quality of KWMU. But, perhaps most important, this investment will enhance our academic programs and provide our students with more opportunities in this exciting urban environment."
UMSL has numerous partnerships with organizations in Grand Center, including the Saint Louis Symphony, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and KETC (Channel 9). The university estimates the 27,000-square-foot building will cost $12 million. Grand Center Inc. has agreed to donate the property, adjacent to KETC at 3651 Olive Street in St. Louis. The project will be financed primarily from private gifts. UMSL has raised nearly $4.5 million in gifts toward the facility and plans to commit about $2.5 million in institutional funds.
George said the decision to locate in Grand Center with the addition of academic programming creates new enthusiasm among current and potential donors. Steve Novik, CFO of Edward Jones, Grand Center board member and KWMU supporter, agrees.
"The decision by the University of Missouri-St. Louis to establish academic programming and house its radio station, KWMU, in Grand Center is a major step forward for this region," said Novik, who will chair a new joint UMSL-Grand Center fundraising committee. "It solidifies and enhances partnerships that exist between UMSL and the various arts and performing organizations in Grand Center, as well as businesses and schools located throughout the city of St. Louis. Great cities have great public universities. UMSL is demonstrating that it is that great university."
Longtime Grand Center and KWMU supporter Emily Rauh Pulitzer praised the move and UMSL Chancellor George for his regional vision. "Tom George and his faculty again have demonstrated their willingness to think outside of the box, to be regional leaders and regional partners. I think it's great that UMSL made the decision to provide a wide array of services and programs in the city of St. Louis. This will strengthen both Grand Center and UMSL."
Grand Center officials look forward to working with UMSL on site preparation and fundraising.
"This is really exciting news for UMSL, Grand Center, KWMU and the entire St. Louis region," Grand Center President and CEO Vincent Schoemehl said. "We're very proud of the growing presence of educational and communications resources in the Grand Center District and the addition of an UMSL presence in this rich arts, education and entertainment district will serve as a major milestone for the university and the St. Louis community."
Kenneth Kranzberg, chair of the Grand Center Board of Directors, echoed Schoemehl's comments, adding that "I'm delighted the University of Missouri-St. Louis and its radio station, KWMU, are now planning to locate operations in Grand Center. This move strengthens Grand Center. This decision affirms my support of the leadership at UMSL and my financial commitment to a new facility for UMSL in Grand Center."
George said several factors would determine the timeframe for breaking ground, including fundraising and construction planning and approvals. The original plan had been to build a new KWMU facility on campus. The change of location requires new architectural plans.
The largest university in the region, UMSL enrolls more than 15,000 students from 48 states and 62 countries and 50,000 additional students in non-credit continuing education programs. It employs more than 1,400 full-time and part-time teaching and research faculty members. While its graduates have taken leadership roles nationally and internationally, their influence remains centered in the St. Louis region. More than 75 percent of UMSL's 74,000 graduates still live and work the region – supporting the unofficial campus tagline "We Educate St. Louis."
St. Louis' premier source of National Public Radio (NPR) since 1972, KWMU is a member-supported service of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Weekly, KWMU brings nearly 180,000 listeners thoughtful, in-depth news coverage, insightful discussion and the exploration of local, regional and national issues by airing programs like Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, Car Talk, St. Louis on the Air and A Prairie Home Companion. KWMU, which broadcasts in HD on 90.7 and 90.7-2, reaches more than 2.4 million people in the bi-state area with a 100,000-watt signal.
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