Indiana University received approval in July 2013 by the Indiana State Budget Committee to build a three-story, 133,500-square-foot building to be shared with Ivy Tech Community College on the IU Northwest campus. Half of the $45 million building will house IU Northwest’s fine and performing arts programs, as well as academic and administration space for the College of Arts and Sciences. Thirty percent of the building will be occupied by Ivy Tech science programs and a “one-stop shop” for enrollment and admission services. The remainder of the building will include classrooms and informal study spaces to be shared by both campuses.

The project was officially kicked off at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 18, with a groundbreaking ceremony in the Savannah Center lobby. The IU Board of Trustees, President Michael A. McRobbie, IUN Chancellor William J Lowe and Chancellor Thomas G. Coley of IVY Tech Community College Northwest were all visiting campus and taking part in the ceremony.

The building will begin to take shape with the first physical changes expected soon after the bid is awarded and before fall classes begin.