Ball State plans 100-room campus hotel

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Ball State University plans to build a new $25 million hotel in a building that will also have student housing space, conference rooms and two restaurants.

University officials say the project will help provide learning experiences for students studying hospitality and food management and boost a shopping area near the southern end of the Muncie campus.

The Star Press reports ( http://tspne.ws/IRt0zI ) that the plans call for 100 hotel rooms in the four-story building, along with 50 rooms for students. Ball State will close the smaller hotel now in its student center.

The university is still working to buy property where the building is planned.

Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler says the hotel project will make private investment near the campus more attractive.