A Muncie business owner whose property near campus has been in the eyes of the administration said he'll be at a Board of Trustees meeting tomorrow as the board discusses a possible real estate transaction.
At 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Board of Trustees will discuss four major topics, one of which is identified only as a "discussion of strategy with respect to the purchase of real property by Ball State University."
Asked if the trustees' discussion Wednesday concerned property for the hotel, university senior media relations manager Vic Caleca would only say, "You can draw your own conclusions."
Hiatt Printing, 506 N. McKinley Ave., has been named as part of the future site of a new university-owned hotel and convention center.
In an earlier Daily News story, university spokesman Tony Proudfoot said Ball State had offered $400,000 to Chris Hiatt, owner of the printing business.
In a Facebook comment on that story, Hiatt said the university had "offered [him] absolutely nothing."
Reached Tuesday, Hiatt said he has been left in the dark for most of the discussion about his property.
Hiatt requested a copy of the university's 2012-13 budget on May 14, 2012, according to email obtained in a public records request. He also acknowledged the university's $400,000 offer in that email, but did not accept nor deny the proposal.
Hiatt also discussed "formally engaging legal counsel" in the email. The document sent by the BSUBOT also references the "discussion of strategy with respect to initiation of litigation or litigation which is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing."
It is unknown, however, if these two are related. The executive session planned for 8:30 a.m. is a closed meeting, but an open session is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
On the agenda for that meeting: "Proposed acquisition of property" and "proposed McKinley Commons, Living/Learning Laboratory," two items that will likely pique Hiatt's interest.
Follow the Board of Trustees meeting with the hashtag #BSUBOT Wednesday at 11 a.m
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