RFP: Panther Town University of Northern Iowa
By Jared Hottle | Published: 2025-07-25T18:14:39.612Z
🏗️ Destination District Development Opportunity
concept sketch of panther town
University of Northern Iowa – Cedar Falls, IATransformative Mixed-Use Campus Development
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is seeking proposals from master developers to create a vibrant, pedestrian-focused mixed-use “Destination District” adjacent to the UNI-Dome, McLeod Center, and new Cedar Falls High School.
This public-private partnership opportunity spans 18 acres of prime, university-owned land with strong traffic counts, adjacency to 500,000+ annual event visitors, and a regional draw from the Cedar Valley metro. A RFP for Panther Town at beautiful University of Northern Iowa.
📍 Location Information:
Address: Southwest corner of Hudson Rd & West 27th St, Cedar Falls, IA
Ownership: University of Northern Iowa (Ground lease)
Size: ~18 acres (primarily flat, sloping gently east/south)
🚦 Prominent Cross Streets:
- Hudson Road: Minor arterial with ~12,000-17,000 cars/day
- West 27th Street: Collector with ~2,000–5,000 cars/day
- Panther Parkway: Bisects the site and connects to 31st St
💰 Development Scope & Uses:
Targeted mix of high-traffic, experience-rich uses including:
🏨 Hotel entrance will align with McLeod Center for strong visual axis.
🧭 Development Goals:
UNI is prioritizing proposals that:
- Create an active, daily-use and gameday destination
- Deepen town-gown connections with the Cedar Falls region
- Attract and retain students, faculty, and visitors
- Generate long-term ROI for the university
- Drive tourism, energy, and economic activity
🏟️ Nearby Anchor Amenities:
- UNI-Dome: 12,000 seats, 500k+ annual attendance
- McLeod Center: 6,650 seats, basketball, volleyball, events
- Cedar Falls High School: New $112M facility next door
- Gallagher Bluedorn PAC: 300+ events/year
- Campus Housing: 2,000+ beds across Hudson Rd
🚧 Infrastructure Notes:
- Utilities: Adjacent water/sewer, existing stormwater basin
- Overhead lines along 27th may need to be buried
- Panther Parkway allows internal site circulation
- Stormwater: Existing basin likely accommodates most needs
🧱 Design Guidelines:
- Plaza-Facing First Floors: Must include retail/active commercial
- Mixed-Use Heights: One-story restaurant to 4-story residential
- Entrances & Windows: Must orient to street/plaza, promote visibility
- Key Sightlines: Preserve view corridor to McLeod/UNI-Dome
🗓️ Submission Timeline:
- RFQ Issued: June 25, 2025
- Proposals Due: August 22, 2025, by 4:00 PM
- Interviews: Fall 2025 (as needed)
- Selection Announced: End of 2025
🔑 RFP: Panther Town University of Northern Iowa Summary
This is a rare chance to shape a generational campus district in one of Iowa’s key regional metros. With over 165,000 MSA population, over 440,000 annual tourists, and a growing UNI enrollment base, the Destination District offers the scale, visibility, and synergy ideal for retail, hospitality, housing, and more.
👷 Ready to bring this vision to life? Shoot me a message today!
Floorplan overview of concept buildings.