Indiana State to Debut Major Renovations

July 21, 2015 2344 Views Eastern U.S., James Stannard, Missouri Orthopeaedic Institute, Scott McMillan, University of California Berkeley

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Construction projects totaling roughly $55 million are currently underway at Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute, with two major projects debuting in time for the start of classes in August. A 15-month renovation will result in a whole new look for Mills Hall, while ISU’s former library building, Normal Hall, will house the University College and Center for Student Success after its own $16 million renovation.

Construction on the Mills Hall project started in May 2014. The freshman residence hall was built in the late 1960s, said Bryan Duncan, director of capital planning and improvement at the university, and was previously not air-conditioned. As such, the building was completely gutted and renovated to include not only cooling, but also light-filled lounge spaces on the upper living floors. Upon completion, the building will also include new multipurpose student meeting spaces, restrooms and shower facilities as well as new elevators. Indianapolis-based Ratio served as the architect on the project, while locally based Hannig Construction served as the general contractor.

Renovations on Normal Hall also began in May 2014. The building was originally constructed in 1910 and served as the ISU library from 1910 to 1972. It was listed on both the national and state Register of Historic Places in 2002 for its role in education and historical significance as a key example of Neo-Classical design.

“Finishes in the building are extraordinary, including the art glass dome,” Duncan said. “ISU has been preserving the building for years in hopes of a renovation project, and we are excited to be completing the building this August. The building will house student programs and will receive heavy use by students, especially freshmen.”

The opalescent art glass dome covers the building’s grand rotunda, which pays tribute to famous philosophers and educators — including six from Indiana. A flat ceiling added in the 1950s obscured Normal Hall’s dome, but renovations will restore the dome’s original grandeur.

Other projects underway at the university include the renovation of Blumberg Hall, which began in May and will be completed by July of next year, according to the South Bend Tribune. It is the second of four Sycamore Towers residence halls on the west side of campus that will undergo major renovations. The first was Mills and the next will be Cromwell.

A $1.5 million renovation of Dede Plaza will continue through October. ISU also is working on the Sycamore Bike Trail, which serves as an extension of the National Road Heritage Trail. It will extend from the river campus behind ISU’s new track and field complex to First and Cherry streets. ISU is also adding a new parking lot at First and Chestnut streets with approximately 200 new parking spaces. Hannig Construction also worked on Blumberg Hall and Dede Plaza.

Additionally, a $22.7 million downtown housing project — part of a public-private partnership with Terre Haute-based Thompson Thrift — is already fully leased, reported the South Bend Tribune. Thompson Thrift built and financed the 75-apartment, 260-bed housing development, and ISU will lease the top four floors of the five-story structure.