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Spring 2024 - The Talon
NEW HEIGHTS FOR DOWNTOWN FAYETTE
Three-year Project on Square Comes to Fruition
By Emily Kesel
The new building on the west side of the downtown square in Fayette might not reach as far into the sky as the clock tower of Linn Memorial United Methodist Church or the iconic top of T. Berry-Smith Hall, but Central Methodist University’s hopes for its impact on the historic town are just as high.
Nearly three years after the announcement of a multi-million project to replace the existing structures on the west side of Church Street with a brand-new building, Central is just about ready to open the doors to Eagle Plaza, a three-story structure with two levels of student housing above a ground floor dedicated to retail space.
“We just can’t find another example of a small college like us taking on something like this,” said Dr. Roger Drake, president of the university. “The cooperation and synergy between the college and the town has been outstanding, and the excitement from the students has been great to see.”
From the beginning, the project has been a great testament to the partnership between CMU and the Fayette community. Fayette businessman and Central alumnus J.B. Waggoner ’91 led the effort to acquire the property when a report showed that the existing buildings were in need of immediate demolition. The buildings were purchased in August of 2021, and the plans to rebuild with a new design to blend in with the other historic downtown properties began to take shape.
Fast-forward to 2024, and now a beautiful new building sits on the square, with five spaces on the ground floor for businesses and 16 suite-style apartments on the upper floors ready to house 64 Central students.
“This project has been huge for the community,” said Derry Wiswall, director of plant operations at CMU. “I got to go through the whole demolition process for the building that was here before, and it was in such bad shape. To see something like this here now in the downtown square, that [Central is] involved with, is great for both entities because it’s a wonderful building now.”
Wiswall and CMU Vice President for Finance and Administration Julee Sherman both agreed that the project has been “very smooth” since construction began. They commended Little Dixie Construction for being an excellent partner and manager of the project.
Impact on student life
Throughout the summer of 2023, Sherman’s office collected submissions of possible names for the downtown project from CMU students and employees. More than 250 submissions came in – Central Corner, Eagles Crossing, The Eagle’s Landing, Downtown Nest, Main Street Village, and Central Nest were among more than 20 finalists – but only one could be chosen as the winner.
Ultimately the submission made by Dawson Wiswall and Shelley Monnig was the one chosen, and Eagle Plaza became the name of the next iconic Central building. Since that time, excitement has only grown among the CMU students hoping to be the first to inhabit the new apartments.
“I’m so excited to live in these amazing apartments for my senior year. I can’t wait to study and relax in my new home away from home. I have been looking forward to movein day since I found out I was going to be one of the first to get to live in these beautiful apartments!” said Madison Thompson, a senior who will be moving into Eagle Plaza this fall.
“The anticipation surrounding Eagle Plaza was palpable, adding a spark of excitement to student life,” said Brad Dixon ’07, vice president for student life. “Our team dedicated time to meticulously planning every aspect, from implementing the lottery system, picking the furniture, to spreading the word. It has truly been a great learning experience for our staff in residential life.”
With 64 beds to fill in 16 apartments,
Dixon’s team extensively researched how best to choose the students for the residence. They settled on a lottery, with students submitting applications in groups of two intended suitemates and then earning entries in the drawing based on their cumulative time at CMU and GPA.
“It was truly amazing to watch the excitement when a name was drawn in the lottery. Some reactions were heard all over the Student Center, as we did the drawing in the Eyrie Café,” said Dixon. “As a staff member and alumnus, it makes me proud to have been a part of this.
“Our board [of trustees] listened to the calls for another housing option, an option that provided flexibility and private accommodations. And this project is a beautiful addition to an already historic town square,” he said.
A community enhanced
While the students begin to move into the upstairs apartments over the summer, Central will be finalizing plans for several different businesses to occupy the first floor. A few are already near-fully committed, with spaces saved for a chiropractic practice, a 24-hour access workout center, and a boutique-style shop that will feature plenty of Central gear.
Sherman and the rest of the administration are still searching for an anchor tenant that “enhances the square,” however, and they’ve looked to the community for help in finding the perfect tenant.
“We’re working with the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation to help us identify tenants for the anchor spot,” said Sherman, citing the organization established in 1988 which brought Howard County into the fold in 2013.
The MAEDC has helped analyze traffic patterns and data to identify the types of businesses that could not only thrive on the square but add to the overall experience offered by downtown Fayette.
“An assortment of different businesses is ultimately what we’re looking for. Things that the students would also use that would enhance the downtown area,” Sherman emphasized. “We’re not just looking for four business offices. We want door swings.”
As the project nears its completion, Drake has emphasized his gratitude to everyone involved in making it all happen for CMU and for the town of Fayette.
“I’m really proud of our board of trustees for having the courage to take this project on, and very happy to see such fine results for Central and for the community,” he said. “It’s been a true labor of love.”
