A New Purpose for the Former Thompson Center Site in East Columbia
The empty two-story building at 200 N. Keene St. may soon trade clinical autism services for veterinary care. A proposal submitted to the city suggests the former Thompson Center site could become a new home for R Veterinary at Columbia.
The transition comes after the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment moved its operations to MU Health Care’s South Providence Medical Park earlier this year. That relocation was finalized when the new clinical services location officially opened on May 8. Now, the University of Missouri Board of Curators, which owns the 1.24-acre property, is looking to repurpose the 13,000-square-foot facility through Brick Box Properties.
The Planning and Zoning Commission Approves Key Permit
A major hurdle for the project was cleared on Thursday when the Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the site. This approval allows the veterinary hospital to operate on the property, which is currently zoned for mixed-use office development. The proposed clinic would relocate from its existing home at 400 Nebraska Avenue.
The development plan includes several specific infrastructure requirements to manage the transition from an office setting to an animal care facility:
- The creation of 67 designated parking spaces.
- The establishment of two specific animal-relief areas.
- Requirements that all outdoor animal structures remain fully enclosed.
- Mandatory staff presence whenever animals are permitted outside.
- The installation of a secondary fence or wall around all animal structures and relief zones.
City staff recommended the permit’s approval, noting that the proposed use is unlikely to create significant adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Their assessment highlighted that animals would be treated and boarded indoors, with outdoor time strictly supervised by staff.
Neighborhood Concerns and the Noise Debate
While the commission moved forward with a unanimous vote, the proposal has not been without local friction. The process of notifying the community began in earnest on October 7, when postcards were sent to nearby residents, followed by additional property owner letters published by October 20.
During the discussions, some residents voiced apprehension regarding the potential for noise pollution. One property owner living on North Keene Street specifically requested that one of the outdoor pens be relocated to the opposite side of the property to distance the noise from nearby homes. Another resident expressed similar concerns regarding the sounds of animals. These residents indicated that some of their concerns were addressed or mitigated following the formal presentation of the plans.
The project now moves forward through the remaining stages of the city’s conditional use permit process.
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