MSU to take over city property for future JVIC expansion

The Missouri State University Board of Governors is scheduled to vote this week to take over city-owned property for a future expansion of Jordan Valley Innovation Center.

MSU staff members are recommending the board’s approval to buy the nearly 1-acre parcel at 530 N. Boonville Ave. for $1, according to the board's Feb. 18 meeting agenda. The site would be used as part of plans to expand JVIC by 11,600 square feet to house a braider system and create a learning lab and classroom for advanced composite materials.

Springfield City Council approved the sale at its Jan. 24 meeting, with the bill language indicating there's "sufficient public benefit" to justify the $1 cost. MSU officials estimate the expansion just north of JVIC will create 10-15 full-time jobs and provide training to roughly 40 trainees for high-tech careers within the first two years of its operation and around 100 within five years, according to council's Jan. 24 agenda. The contract states MSU must begin construction within 48 months of the closing date or sell the property back to the city for $1.

With approval from the MSU board, the university will move to further expand JVIC, a building that houses researchers and corporate partners at 524 N. Boonville Ave.

MSU in April expects to complete a $14.4 million, 30,000-square-foot expansion to JVIC, according to past reporting. Dubbed the Brewer Science Innovation Annex, the expansion provides more space for tenants.