Errington: Ball State University projects approved by Indiana State Budget Committee

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) said the State Budget Committee approved two Ball State University projects during the committee’s meeting today on the Indiana State University campus in Terre Haute.

The $87.5 million Phase II of the Health Professions Facilities Project will feature the construction of a new Foundational Sciences Building to provide space for the Biology and Chemistry departments.

The $60 million Phase II of the new North Residential Neighborhood Project involves the construction of another new residence hall and a stand-alone dining facility on the north portion of the campus.

“Both projects are critical to the growth of Ball State,” said Errington. “The Foundational Sciences Building will provide state-of-the-art equipment and space to facilitate the STEM needs of students. It will replace the outdated Cooper Science Complex and augment the Health Professions Building now under construction.

“The North Residential Neighborhood Project will complement Phase I of the project already underway,” explained Errington. “It will feature another new residence hall and dining facility. LaFollette Hall and Carmichael Hall are both badly showing their ages, so these two new residence halls are greatly needed.”

The new Foundational Sciences Building will enable the biology and chemistry departments to expand and meet expected future demands. The project’s cost will be funded through fee-replaced debt.

The new residence hall in Phase II of the North Residential Neighborhood Project will be five stories high and house 510 students, mostly freshmen. It will be a living-learning community for Teachers College students.

Of the $60 million, $50 million will be used for the construction of the new residence hall and dining facility with $10 million dedicated for the demolition of Carmichael Hall and Lafollette Hall with site restoration. Financing for the work will come from existing renewal and replacement funds which are raised through residence hall fees and student dining charges set aside for long-term capital repairs and renovations.