University News
Concordia University, St. Paul has announced it officially closed on the purchase of the entire Central Midway Building March 19, providing the university the flexibility to serve the needs of a growing student population by opening space for additional classrooms, labs, and administrative offices.
“This acquisition allows Concordia the strategic opportunity to continue serving the needs of our students by providing much-needed space to grow and expand our academic offerings,” CSP President Dr. Tom Ries said. “As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of this institution, we look forward to our continued community partnership in the Lex-Ham neighborhood.”
CSP currently utilizes three full floors and a portion of a fourth in the Central Midway Building as it houses Concordia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and Nursing programs, as well as the Office of Advancement, Office of Alumni Relations and a number of graduate program faculty offices.
“With ‘Vision 2024’ launching this fall, the new facility will be an incubation center where innovative partnerships of private medical and business companies integrate with the rich academic medical and business fields preparing future employees and leaders for St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the national stage,” said Provost and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Eric E. LaMott.
Concordia has been a constant anchor in this area of St. Paul for over a century and has witnessed a tremendous amount of change, including losing its own football field in the 1960s due to the construction of I-94. A partner in the St. Paul community for 125 years, Concordia’s economic impact on the city and surrounding neighborhoods have been positive with an estimated 10,000 yearly campus visitors bringing their purchasing power to the community.
The Midway and Lex-Ham areas are currently undergoing even more changes with the completion of Allianz Field (opening Spring 2019) and new Midway Peace Park (opening Fall 2019), which will be adjacent to the Central Midway property.