Construction costs for part of KU stadium renovation budgeted for $251M; recent locker room upgrades cost $4.1M

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The construction for the planned overhaul of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and building an adjoining conference center will cost more than $251 million, and it must be completed by Aug. 1, 2025.

That’s according to a contract between the University of Kansas and its recently announced construction manager for the project, Turner Construction.

The stadium renovation and conference center are just part of the planned overhaul of the 11th and Mississippi Street area that KU officials have dubbed the Campus Gateway Project.

KU told the Kansas Board of Regents as recently as May that the project, which also includes plans for student housing, an entertainment venue, a hotel and office, as well as a restaurant and retail space, will cost in the neighborhood of $335 million. The stadium and conference center are thought to be the first phase of the project, with more construction in the area coming in the years following the phase one completion.

The construction schedule for renovating the Anderson Family Football Complex and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Turner Construction estimates that the $251.25 million construction project will take 33 months to complete, and it is set to be finished by Aug. 1, 2025, according to the contract.

The contract offers the following details on how part of that total breaks down:

  • Pre-construction services: $380,000
  • Supervision and management: $11.265 million
  • Temporary facilities, equipment, and contracted services: $1.24 million
  • Surety and insurance: $8.743 million

It was not clear from the contract how exactly the remaining $229.6 million would be allocated, but the contract also includes a base fee of 2.85% to cover executive, legal, accounting, scheduling services and more.

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, a spokesperson for KU, said in an email that people should keep in mind the total cost of the project could expand in the weeks and months ahead “depending on various factors.”

Also included in the contract with Turner Construction are details on the recently unveiled renovations to the locker room and strength and conditioning rooms at the Anderson Family Football Complex.

Construction on those upgrades, which began in April and finished earlier this month, cost about $4.17 million.

More upgrades are planned for the complex in 2024. The final plans for those upgrades are due to the university by Sept. 12, according to the contract.

KU is planning to announce more information about the 11th and Mississippi Street Gateway Project on Tuesday.

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Conner Mitchell (he/him), reporter, can be reached at cmitchell (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com or 785-435-9264. If you have sensitive information to send Conner, please email connermitchell (at) protonmail (dot) com. Read more of his work for the Times here.

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