SLU Receives Two $1 Million Gifts for Arena Project

Gifts from the Jack Taylor Family and U.S. Bank add to project momentum

ST. LOUIS Saint Louis University announced today that it has received two $1 million gifts in August in support of its multipurpose Arena project. The Jack Taylor Family and U.S. Bank each have donated $1 million for the Arena, moving the University closer to the project fundraising goal.

A rendering of the new Arena.

"We are extremely grateful to the Jack Taylor Family and U.S. Bank and Joe Imbs, U.S. Bank St. Louis market president and regional chairman, for their support and generosity," said University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. "Their commitment to SLU and the St. Louis community is well known, and I thank them for joining with us to complete this exciting project that will benefit the entire St. Louis metropolitan community."

"These two very generous donations show the momentum this project has developed within the St. Louis community," said Vice President for Development and University Relations Thomas Keefe. "We hope that others will look at these gifts and also decide to join with us on the Arena project, which will bring hundreds of thousands of people to Midtown St. Louis each year."

Jack Taylor is the founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which is the largest rental car company in North America, and has grown to more than 6,800 offices around the world with more than $9 billion in annual revenue. Mr. Taylor and Enterprise Rent-A-Car are recognized for their continuing commitment to the St. Louis community and their support of projects that enhance life in the area.

U.S. Bank, and its parent company U.S. Bancorp, is the sixth largest financial services holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,434 banking offices and 4,966 ATMs, providing a full line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions.

U.S. Bank contributes millions of dollars in charitable giving, community development and corporate sponsorships across its banking region each year.

"We are honored to have the support of the Taylor Family, U.S. Bank and so many outstanding donors for this project," Biondi said. "This Arena will be a beacon for Midtown St. Louis and will be another key part of the renaissance of the city of St. Louis."

The new Arena will home to Billikens men's and women's basketball and will host a variety of other events such as concerts, family shows, sporting events, commencements and trade shows. The University expects the Arena to bring more than 400,000 people to Midtown St. Louis each year.

Groundbreaking for the Arena will take place Monday, Aug. 28 at the Arena location near Compton Avenue and Interstate 64/Highway 40. The $80.5 million project will be funded through fundraising, $8 million in TIF funding and bonds, which will be paid off with revenues from the Arena.

Construction on the arena project will take approximately 19 months, with an estimated opening date in March 2008. Site preparation work has begun in advance of the groundbreaking on Aug. 28.

To find out how you can support this exciting project, visit arena.slu.edu.

Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of 11,800 students on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University is the place where knowledge touches lives. Learn more about SLU at www.slu.edu

[ Return to Top of Page ]