Missouri Valley Conference HQ

The Missouri Valley Conference moved a step closer to a new home today when the St. Louis Development Corporation approved a $200,000 forgivable loan to assist the Conference in constructing their new $10.5 million headquarters.

The new facility will be located immediately south of the Scottrade Center, on a portion of a parking lot controlled by Treasurer Larry Williams. Treasurer Williams has agreed to sell the northern portion of the lot to the Conference, so that the Conference can be located near their tournament facility. The new building will grow the Conference’s facilities from approximately 4,000 sf to approximately 27,000 sf.

The Conference began its search for a new home when it outgrew its current facility on Chouteau, and when the fact that Scottrade Center was up for sale made it impossible to renew the tournament lease. The search involved seven other locations, most of which were outside Missouri. Now that Dave Checketts and his group have purchased the facility, it has been possible for the Conference to make long-term arrangements with Scottrade, and plans for the new headquarters facility are moving forward.

The City’s Land Clearance Authority has also assisted the Conference in making application for Missouri Development Finance Board tax credits to assist in the construction of the new facility.

I am very happy that the Conference has chosen to remain in St. Louis — and in a spot I can see from my office. The Conference was instrumental in attracting the Men’s Final Four Basketball Tournament and other national collegiate athletic events to St. Louis in the past. I certainly look forward with the Conference to many more great college sporting competitions in St. Louis in the years to come.