BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP): Indiana University's president is recommending a downtown Evansville site for a health science education and research center planned by IU's medical school and three other schools.

University President Michael McRobbie told Board of Trustees committee on Friday that the downtown location would be the best of four options around Evansville for the nearly $70 million project.

The Evansville Courier & Press and WFIE-TV report IU's full board is expected to vote later Friday on approving the site.

Evansville officials had pushed the location covering nearly six city blocks as a key for downtown redevelopment.

The University of Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College also plan to offer programs at the center that could draw some 2,000 health care students.