UNI eyeing new ‘Panther District’ of restaurants, retail, housing in Cedar Falls

Echoing the CyTown multiuse development district that Iowa State University initiated five years ago — signing a 30-year management deal for the 48-acre project in January — the University of Northern Iowa on Wednesday announced plans for a new 18-acre “Panther District.”

Offering restaurants, retail, housing, and a hotel, the “destination district” will sit on UNI campus land west of Hudson Road across West 27th Street from the McLeod Center — UNI’s 6,650-seat arena for basketball, wrestling, and volleyball events.

Given other major construction on that side of town — including a new Cedar Falls High School and additions to the Cedar Falls Industrial and Tech Park — the pedestrian-oriented district hopes to benefit not just UNI but the city as a whole.

“The project is envisioned to create an active campus and community destination, support and enhance the game day and ‘everyday’ experience on the southwest portion of the campus, and strengthen the connection between the campus, athletic facilities, the recently completed Cedar Falls High School campus and the emerging neighborhood to the west,” according to UNI’s request for qualifications from “master developers” for the project.

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Grow Cedar Valley President and CEO Katy Susong called the Panther District concept, “exactly the kind of bold, vibrant development that energizes a community.”

“UNI plays a critical role in attracting people to the Cedar Valley,” she said, “and when we create places that make them want to stay, the entire region benefits.”

UNI on Wednesday kick-started the process by issuing a call for qualifications from interested developers. Once it finds a developer and finalizes an agreement, UNI will go through the Board of Regents approval process.

“This project strengthens the connection between campus and community, supporting the talent pipeline and the local economy alike,” Susong said — speaking to the regent mission prong to “create and support economic development in partnership with public and private sectors.”

Timeline in progress

The project comes as all of higher education is facing headwinds in the form of funding threats, wavering public trust, and a looming enrollment cliff — not to mention a potential loss of international students due to the shifting political climate.

UNI has seen meaningful enrollment losses in recent years — dropping from a high of 14,070 in 2001 to a low of 8,949 in 2022, with numbers trending back up to 9,283 in fall 2024.

The Panther District’s strategic goals include attracting and retaining new students, athletes, staff, and faculty while also generating business and investment to the area, upping Cedar Falls tourism, deepening the town-gown connection, and enhancing the overall UNI experience.

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Iowa State’s CyTown — which is bigger in scope and scale — involves a medical clinic and amphitheater, in addition to a hotel and retail, office, and residential buidlings. CyTown’s eight buildings are expected to cost between $175 and $225 million total.

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Although a specific timeline for the Panther District isn’t known, officials said construction could start as soon as contracts are finalized, the board grants approval, and the developer is ready.

“The Panther District represents another fabulous opportunity for UNI to help enhance our already vibrant Cedar Falls community,” UNI President Mark Nook said. “The Panther District will provide dining, shopping and social opportunities for UNI students and members of the public attending sporting and arts events at UNI and Cedar Falls High School.”

It also will include a plaza and open space for events and game day activities, according to the RFQ.

A preliminary assessment of the project done last year found a district west of Hudson Road could attract students, employees, and businesses to Cedar Falls — without detracting from a vibrant downtown that already boasts dining, retail, and housing options, officials said.

“Developers have indicated to UNI officials that new construction built to specifications in this area is preferable for a variety of reasons, as opposed to reconfiguring existing space in the city,” officials said.

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And the housing would target community members and the area workforce — not UNI students.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the City of Cedar Falls,” Mayor Danny Laudick said. “We often talk about how we can lean into our heritage and connection with UNI, and the Panther District is a great opportunity to do that. It provides a new type of experience for students and visitors coming into town for events nearby, and it builds on the incredible quality of life and unique amenities that we continue to invest in through our mixed-use districts like Downtown and College Hill.”

‘A creative vision’

In addition to qualifications in the form of prior work, proof of financial capacity, and experience with ground leases, UNI is inviting development teams to submit project proposals and “a creative vision for implementing the project.”

“The university envisions a two-step process,” according to the RFQ — seeking experience, team, project approach, and financial capability information in the first step.

After evaluating responses, UNI will then pick finalists to submit refined proposals outlining a site concept, general operating and financial plan, and schedule.

“The development team will be responsible for all mixed use, commercial, housing, circulation, and parking components on the development lots,” according to the RFQ.

A proposed breakdown of the project suggests:

“The university is evaluating a potential wrestling practice facility, integrated along the western edge of the site, as well as support parking for students and events,” according to the RFQ.

“Building heights span from tall one-story/mezzanine destination restaurant to three-to-four story mixed use buildings, arranged per the master plan to preserve key viewsheds up Hudson Road to the UNI-Dome and create an urban environment along the events plaza,” according to the RFQ.

A “Panther Pathway,” per the vision, would connect the Panther District with the primary UNI-Dome entrance.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com