Delaware County also receives mental health grant to help incarcerated access treatment
By Amanda Schreiber, Press Secretary, House Republicans—
STATEHOUSE—Ball State University can take off with its plans to make much-needed improvements and expansions at the Muncie campus with the help of nearly $104 million in new investments, according to local lawmakers.
State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) and Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) said the State Budget Committee formally reviewed four capital projects, including those to accommodate academic program expansions and more housing opportunities.
Almost $70 million will go toward the construction of an approximately 67,700-square-foot Performing Arts Center facility to support the Department of Theatre and Dance. The project will include a main stage theater with seating for 425, a studio “black box” theater, dressing rooms and green room. The new building is expected to host more than 160 university performances and draw more than 35,000 attendees to The Village each year.
“Securing funding for projects at Ball State University marks a significant milestone for our community,” Rowray said. “These funds will enhance the educational experience for students and strengthen our local economy. I am excited for the positive impact these projects will have on our community and look forward to seeing the university thrive as a result.”
Adjacent to the performing arts center, Ball State will proceed with a ground lease with Muncie Hotel Partners, allowing Schahet Hotels to develop, construct and operate a first-class hotel. The new hotel will provide at least 90 rooms with both a ground-floor restaurant and a rooftop restaurant/bar providing an upscale experience.
Other projects include a new Center for Innovation, which will include a mix of classrooms, lab space, assembly space, office spaces and storage. The 31,425-square-foot project will cost approximately $21.3 million and will serve students, faculty, community members, and the private sector in a space that fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Ball State will also move ahead with the purchase of seven properties from an affiliate of the Ball State University Foundation, Cardinal Properties. Two of the acquired properties will become the site for the new Center for Innovation. The other five properties will be ground leased at a future date and developed into a mixed-use property with retail and apartments.
The State Budget Committee also released funds for Delaware County to receive a $2.5 million Regional Mental Health Facilities Grant. Prescott and Rowray supported the grant creation and funding to help incarcerated individuals access mental health treatment. Delaware County will operate a facility serving surrounding counties for a minimum of five years. The total design and construction budget for the facility is approximately $7.6 million, funded by an estimated $5.2 million from American Rescue Plan Funds and $2.5 million from the state. The funds will be used to construct a substance use and mental health treatment facility.
“With this grant, Delaware County becomes a place where individuals can find support and a path toward recovery,” Prescott said. “It’s great to see our area stepping up and prioritizing mental health. It’s an investment in our future, ensuring a better tomorrow for so many struggling Hoosiers.”
Visit in.gov/sba/budget-committee for more information about the projects reviewed by the State Budget Committee, as well as view agendas and archived meetings.
