Ball State University to demolish residence hall complex

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Ball State University is seeking bids for the demolition of a 50-year-old group of residence halls on campus.

The university has issued notices to bidders for demolitions and asbestos abatement to begin May 8 at LaFollette Complex, The Star Press (http://tspne.ws/2opHfa3 ) reported. The estimated $3.4 million project is scheduled for completion Sept. 29.

The university's director of housing and residence life, Alan Hargrave, says the nine-story-tall complex opened in 1967 during the nationwide expansion in higher education to accommodate baby boomers. Similar residence halls were built in the 1960s to hold as many students in as small a space as possible.

Today, the complex houses 1,900 students, most of whom are freshmen.

"Thousands and thousands of students have lived here over the course of its tenure, so it has served the university well," Hargrave said. "The university has gotten a lot of use out of it. It still has the original windows. We've done our part to keep it safe and well-maintained."

During a commencement speech in 2015, Ball State graduate and Papa John's Pizza founder John Schnatter, recalled that he came up with the specifications, recipes, demographics, equipment and business plan for the company when he was living on the fifth floor of LaFollette in 1982.

Mysch/Hurst Hall and Woody/Shales Hall will be the first of five buildings in the complex to be destroyed. This summer, a total of 126,000 square feet of the building will be demolished.

Ball State associate vice president Jim Lowe said the remaining sections will be demolished in 2021.

___

Information from: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com