The University of Kansas has tapped a joint venture between Clark Construction and JE Dunn Construction to deliver a $362 million Phase II project that is slated to improve football facilities, expand the campus entrance and add mixed-use development.
The work in Lawrence, Kansas is part of an $809 million redevelopment that it included an important renovation and reconstruction of the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium south-west, west and north sides, together with related facilities. Phase I, led by Turner Construction Co., opened in August 2025.
Kansas City design firms Multistudio and HNTB provided architecture and design services for both phases, covering the stadium and the adjacent Gateway District, located east of the stadium.
Phase II is planned to rebuild the stadium’s eastern bleachers with new seating and amenities, remodel the south side of the bowl and build a year-round district that includes a 162-room hotel, 450-bed student housing, 43,000 square feet of retail, office and restaurant space, an underground parking garage and an event garage.
“One of the most interesting construction challenges for this project will be seamlessly tying Phase 2 to the completed Phase 1 while maintaining continuity across all components,” says Scott Sherry, JE Dunn’s national athletic director. “This development is not just a soccer stadium, it also includes a garage/parking lot and student housing complex, requiring the team to balance three interconnected projects. The challenge lies in creating a unified campus environment where all elements complement each other and function as a cohesive destination.”
“The project will develop a new campus gateway, multi-purpose space and upgraded football facilities, enhancing KU’s ability to recruit and retain students,” the university said.
Phase I, at the corner of 11th and Mississippi streets, cost $448 million and connected the Anderson Family Soccer Complex, Booth Stadium and a 50,000-square-foot conference center at the north end of the stadium. Renovations included a new equipment room overlooking the field, an additional 20,000 square feet of visiting, meeting and support space, and improved locker, weight and training rooms.
The first phase also reconfigured the seating bowl to improve vision and bring fans closer to the field, added new concession offerings, improved concourse circulation and accessibility, and introduced premium seating options such as clubs, ledge suites and seating. All west side seats now include seatbacks, with around 3,000 access to premium areas. The west side has four club areas and 42 suites.
University officials said the Gateway District is scheduled to be fully completed by 2028, with stadium work scheduled during the offseason following the 2026 and 2027 football seasons.
Kansas Football was established in 1890, playing in what is recognized as the first stadium built on a college campus west of the Mississippi River. Booth Stadium is the seventh oldest collegiate stadium in the country, according to the university.
