Errington announces that $90 million for New North Neighborhood residential project has been approved by State Budget Committee

INDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) announced today that the State Budget Committee has given final approval for Ball State University to proceed with the first phase of the New North Residential Neighborhood project.

Errington said State Budget Committee members approved the project, estimated to cost $90 million, during the group’s monthly business meeting today at the Statehouse.

“This first phase consists of two parts: construction of a new residence hall and a stand-alone dining facility,” Errington said. “The project itself is a critical part of the university’s ongoing efforts to improve facilities and services to meet the needs of a growing student population.”

Present plans call for the residence hall to cover five stories and house up to 500 students, most of them freshmen. It also will serve as a living-learning community for students in the STEM programs. The new facility will be located to the north of the LaFollette Complex, which will gradually be demolished to make way for the new facilities. Demolition of some of the older buildings started last year.

The new dining facility, also to be located north of LaFollette, is expected to include as many as eight micro-restaurants and be able to seat up to 800 patrons. The building also will house administrative offices for Dining Services and Housing and Residence Life that are currently housed in LaFollette.

“Once all phases of the work are completed, there will be close to 1,100 new beds in place on Ball State’s campus,” Errington noted. “LaFollette has been one of the landmarks on Ball State’s campus, but it is time to provide new facilities that can provide modern services for students. Through the years, it has been a pleasure to see Ball State take an active role in providing the best possible living and learning experience for its entire population. Today’s announcement is just another step in reaching that goal.”

The project will be financed through Housing and Dining System Revenue Bonds.