GARY, Ind. (AP) _ Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College are moving toward building a shared arts and sciences building in Gary.
IU's Board of Trustees on Friday gave the green light for design of the three-story, 133,500-square-foot building, which will take up most of a city block.
The building will house Ivy Tech science programs and IU Northwest fine arts and performing arts programs, featuring a 500-seat venue. IU Northwest will occupy about half of the building, Ivy Tech will occupy about 30 percent, and the remainder will include shared classrooms and informal study spaces.
The Indiana State Budget Committee appropriated $45 million for the project last July. The next phase is to refine the design and move toward gathering construction bids.
The building is expected to open in 2017.
