Webster University is being sued by the owners of the school’s Gateway Campus building located on Eighth and Olive. Owners of the building have filed for more than $75,000 in alleged damages.
“Webster has continued to fail to pay, among other things, the full Rent due for the months of January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August,” attorneys stated in the suit filed by St. Louis Leased Housing Associates.
In January 2016, the university signed a 20-year lease for the 55,000-square-foot building, which included an auditorium, an art museum and classroom spaces. One year prior, there was a large-scale renovation that was completed in the building.
Following the campus’ first week of classes in spring 2016, an article by the university detailed the desired impact of opening a campus downtown.
“Because Webster has a comprehensive presence downtown, we will be able to offer many programs and activities and be a full neighbor and partner with the community here,” Chancellor Elizabeth Stroble said in an article for Webster University.
When the plaintiff attempted to contact the university regarding the lease violations, they received no response, according to the lawsuit. This is in addition to the growing debt the university has accumulated, reaching $25 million in losses as of early 2023.
Patrick Giblin, spokesperson for Webster University, said the university does not comment on pending litigation.
See the official Lawsuit here.