The L.A. Pittenger Student Center Building has been undergoing renovations since last August. The most recent addition to the building is an electronic sign on the corner of University and McKinley avenues.
The sign was finished and installed last weekend and reads "Welcome to Ball State University" in big, red letters. But in the future, it will post announcements regarding upcoming events such as sports games, vacation reminders and friendly messages to visitors and students alike.
The sign continues the red brick theme of the adjacent building. According to the renovation plans on Ball State's Web site, the display implemented Indiana limestone in the design.
Greg Graham, interim director of facilities planning, estimated that the sign, along with the limestone structure, cost between $40,000 and $50,000.
"It fits in really well, otherwise we wouldn't have designed it that way," Graham said.
But some students said the sign looks out of place.
"It's weird that it is on this side of campus," said Tyler Straessle. "They're doing all this renovation here, but it would look better by the Atrium."
The sign is part of the larger $17.5 million Student Center renovation project that is scheduled for completion next year and includes updates to the exterior, ballroom, computer lab and the Tally food court.
The Student Center was built in 1952, and was dedicated to former Ball State president, Lemuel A. Pittenger for his work with the university.
Phase 1:
- Started on the east entrance of the building and moved west
- Finished in May, with the exception of the Tally food court, which was finished two months later.
Phase 2:
- Began May 2009
- Consists of the rest of the building and the exterior, including the new sign
- The hotel will remain open during Phase 2
- Slated to be finished in January of 2010
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