Strategically located near student residence halls, UofL now owns the property at Fourth St. and Cardinal Blvd. The UofL Foundation finalized the purchase on Jan. 31, opening a gateway of possibilities for Cardinal Center.
Soon, the building that now houses a laundromat and food mart will be torn down to make way for green space.
鈥淲e will work to determine the best permanent use of the space and given that it is within the residence hall district, that will be the priority consideration,鈥 said UofL President Kim Schatzel. 鈥淭his project will redefine Cardinal Center and benefit the entire neighborhood while completing an inviting student epicenter.鈥澛
鲍辞蹿尝鈥檚 housing demand was marked by a record-breaking 97% occupancy rate in fall 2024, with more than 3,900 housing assignments. Of these, nearly 1,900 first-year students unpacked their belongings in their new college homes, contributing to the unprecedented demand for on-campus housing.
The university has considered this property for 20 years, as the new use of the land aims to transform the Belknap Campus.
This purchase falls within 鲍辞蹿尝鈥檚 overall which establishes a comprehensive vision that guides future development and transformation on the Belknap Campus and Health Sciences Center to support the university鈥檚 mission, vision and strategic plan. The Campus Plan serves as a 20-year framework, strategically strengthening 鲍辞蹿尝鈥檚 distinct identity as both a top-tier research and community engaged university.
