MUNCIE — Ball State University's board of trustees approved a plan on Friday to build two residence halls and a dining hall to replace the LaFollette Complex.
Estimated to cost $140 million and start next year, the buildings will go up north of LaFollette, a 1960s residence/dining complex being demolished in phases that began this year.
When classes resume this fall, LaFollette's capacity will have been reduced from 1,900 beds to 1,200 beds through partial demolition.
The new construction will eliminate the first curve in McKinley Avenue north of LaFollette, creating space for one of the new 500-bed residence halls, BSU Treasurer Bernie Hannon told trustees.
The curve in McKinley will become a right angle with a roundabout.
Hannon said construction of the first residence hall, dining hall and the new road alignment, estimated to cost $50 million, $35 million and $5 million, respectively, should start next year.
The university will ask the state budget committee in September for authority to proceed.