RFP: Panther Town University of Northern Iowa

Jared Hottle
6 days ago
2 min read

🏗️ Destination District Development Opportunity

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:

Use Type	Approx. Size/Units
Retail / Commercial	75,000 – 100,000 SF
Office / Medical	20,000 – 40,000 SF
Hotel	100 – 120 rooms
Housing	100 – 150 units (non-student)
Student/Event Parking	TBD
Possible UNI Wrestling Facility	TBD

🏨 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!