The Standard

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Bazil Manietta

Art and design students at Missouri State will be given a change of scenery next fall as the department will move several classes to a newly-leased downtown building at 305 W. Mill St.

The location about two blocks north of Park Central Square and east of Campbell Ave. will help bring the "scattered" program together towards "the art's community" of downtown Springfield, acting head of the art and design department Wade Thompson, said in an interview last week. Thompson could not be reached for comment on this article.

High ceilings, adequate space and the building's overall character were the most convincing aspects of the new building, according to Thompson.

Lauren Lane, a junior drawing major, said she thinks the move downtown is good for many reasons, but one stands out about the rest.

"I?think it's fabulous,"?she said. "We're getting more space.

She said she's excited to move out of the Art Annex, which she refers to as "the barn."

"I?know the ceramics teachers are excited because they get more kiln space,"?she said. "It's going to be awesome."

Missouri State's art and design department is not the only group thrilled about the move-the Urban District Alliance's executive director Rusty Worley said he is always "very excited to have the university move downtown."

The Urban District Alliance works with the university by providing the necessary details about potential properties located downtown and serving as a "link with developers" as the university "helps bring older buildings to life," according to Worley.

Worley is also mindful of the benefit for the university's art and design gallery probable move into the new building as it will be closer to the "signature event" of the First Friday Art Walk in downtown every month and providing more ways for students to display their work.

The 10-year lease agreement between Missouri State University and the Brick City, L.P. that grants the university's goal for the department's move is one of the longest-spanned contracts the university has ever committed to, according to Greg Burris, vice president of administrative services.

Beginning in August of the 2008 fall semester, the office of the provost and office of the president will split evenly an annual lease payment to Brick City, L.P.

For the first year each office will pay about $113,000-a payment that will rise with the Kansas City Consumer Price Index for the following 9 years.

The building's costs will not be reflected in student tuition or fee payments, Provost Belinda McCarthy said.

Purchasing the leased building is also an option for the university after five years, Burris said.

A parking lot south of the building will hold 100 parking spots available to students, according to Burris.

Currently, the university is planning for the Bear Line shuttle system to include a stop near the building. Also, the building and parking lot will be "well-lit for safety," Burris said.

President Michael Nietzel is seeking donors for the one-time $100,000 building renovation fee. However, vice president of university advancement Brent Dunn said no commitments have been made thus far and announcements of donors would not be made until a decision has been reached.

Vacancy of the current art and design classrooms and offices will likely "reallocate to other academic departments," Burris said.

Burris said the university is considering how to use the potentially vacant space on Walnut St. if the art and design gallery moves to the new building.

The lease for the current gallery ends in 2010.

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