BSU Board Approves Parking Project
The Ball State University Board of Trustees has approved plans for an $18 million parking garage on the Muncie campus. The university says the facility is part of a long-term plan to develop what will be known as the East Mall and make the campus friendlier to pedestrians and cyclists.
Construction on the garage is set to begin this summer. The structure will be adjacent to the Studebaker Complex on the east side of the campus and is expected to be complete in 2019. It will have 600 vehicle spaces, covered bicycle parking and charging stations for electric vehicles.
Once construction is complete, crews will begin demolishing the existing Emens Parking Structure, which will be replaced with a new grand lawn.
"The new East Mall will serve as a connector between the new East Quad and the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center, alleviate congestion on McKinley Avenue, and provide places for social gatherings," Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns said in a news release. "At the same time, the new garage is a part of our long-range plans to remove parking and vehicle traffic from the central part of campus, enhance the campus’ beauty, and improve safety."
Ball State says the project is a key part of its Campus Master Plan. The new East Mall will also include site improvements to better connect the new parking structure to the core of the campus.