Euphenie Andre
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A major redevelopment project could reshape downtown Columbia and replace several existing buildings near the University of Missouri’s campus.
Developers asked the Planning and Zonning Comission during at Thursday night’s meeting to rezone property between Paquin Street and College Avenue to make way for a new apartment complex called “Theory Sterling Mizzou.”
The commission unanimously approved the proposal Thursday night. It now moves on to the City Council for consideration.
According to plans submitted to the city, the development would include 305 units with a maximum occupancy of about 970 residents.
The project would span 2.91 acres and require the demolition of several existing buildings, including University Place Apartments family homes and a personal services building.
“The entire block bounded by College, University, Matthews, and Paquin will be demolished if the project is approved,” according to a Wednesday statement from Development Services Manager Patrick Zenner.
For current residents of University Place, leases will end in late July. Residents scheduled to move in this August will be allowed to remain through the Spring 2027 semester before being required to relocate.
“The goal is to let that semester conclude,” architect Todd Gaines said. “Which I think is May 17 of 2027, and give them a week until May 24th of 2027 before they need to vacate.”
Gaines acknowledged that nearby residents outside University Place have not yet been notified about the project. He said the project is still in the early stages and developers were not sure whether it would move forward.
Developers plan to keep Como Spa and the barbershop located on the property.
Co-owner Cari Nichols attended Thursday’s meeting and said she is pleased developers intend to preserve the business, which has served Columbia for more than 90 years.
“We’re grateful that building ownership proactively communicated with us their desire to keep both Campus Barbershop and Campus Spa a part of this property’s future. We look forward to collaborating with the development team to preserve our presence in our hometown.” Nichols said.
The apartment complex would be accessible from both Matthews Street and College Avenue, per city documents.
Locator Maps U PlaceDownload
Developers said the proposed 85-foot apartment building would exceed what’s typically allowed under current zoning rules, but argue the added height fits the site’s location near downtown and the University of Missouri.
Contractors believe the taller design would allow more student housing in a walkable area and reduce pressure to build farther from campus. While the structure would cast shadows on nearby properties, the impact would be limited to a small number of buildings and only during certain times of day.
The developer is also requesting a reduction in required landscaping, lowering it from 15% to 10%. They argue the site’s urban setting and proximity to downtown make the change appropriate and would help maximize housing without increasing building height.
The plan calls for reducing required buffers from as much as 25 feet down to 10 feet. Documents show the change is intended to better match the surrounding urban character, while also creating a more pedestrian-friendly design and maximizing space for housing and infrastructure.
Overall, city staff said the project aligns with Columbia’s comprehensive plan by adding higher-density housing in an already developed area near downtown and Mizzou. While sewer upgrades will be needed to support the development, those improvements would have to be approved before construction can move forward.
Traffic Impacts
As part of the proposal, developers submitted a traffic impact study examining how the project could affect nearby roads and intersections.
The study estimates the development would generate up to 215 vehicle trips during the busiest periods of the day. Most traffic is expected to enter and exit the property directly from College Avenue.
Engineers found some traffic movements along Matthews Street would experience slightly longer delays during peak hours. However, those delays are expected to increase by fewer than five seconds, and the study concluded nearby roadways would continue operating at “acceptable” levels.
The study identified several intersections that could experience additional traffic from the development, including:
College Avenue and University Avenue
College Avenue and Paquin Street
University Avenue and Matthews Street
Paquin Street and Matthews Street
College Avenue and the proposed site driveway
Matthews Street and the proposed site driveway
The study also identified off-site improvements that may be needed to accommodate the project. Parking would be included as part of the development. According to documents, Theory Sterling Mizzou would provide 579 parking spaces.
Developers compared the proposal with other student housing developments in downtown Columbia and found Theory Sterling Mizzou would offer the most parking spaces while also housing the largest number of residents in the downtown area, with a projected capacity of 961-970 people.
Parking AnalysisDownload
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