The Village Revitalization Plan
The keystone of the redevelopment is a new Performing Arts Center (PAC), designed to serve as the catalytic anchor for the entire district. Located at the corner of University and McKinley Avenues, the 65,000-square-foot facility will house a 450-seat main stage theater and a 175-seat black box studio. Ball State anticipates that the PAC will host over 160 performances annually, attracting more than 35,000 visitors each year. The center also addresses the growing needs of Ball State’s Theatre and Dance programs, which have seen enrollment double since 1996.1
Fairmount Properties, in partnership with Ball State, plans to leverage approximately $100 million in private investment to energize the area further. Their broader vision includes the construction of The Cantio Hotel, a 97-room Tapestry Collection by Hilton property featuring a rooftop bar and restaurant, alongside new retail, dining, and innovation spaces. Additionally, a Center for Innovation will provide collaborative working environments for university initiatives such as the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts and the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute, integrating academic programs with industry engagement.2
Residential development is a critical component of the plan. Seventeen townhomes and eight single-family homes are set to be built between North and Gilbert Streets, attracting employees from Ball State, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, and other local businesses. The revitalization will also introduce a Barnes & Noble community bookstore, a food hall, a public plaza, and about 95 new apartments, all designed to strengthen The Village as a regional destination.3
Construction on the Performing Arts Center and The Cantio Hotel officially began in the fall of 2024, with completion expected in 2026. Site work for the new homes is slated to start in spring 2025, with the first residences becoming available in 2026. In December 2023, Ball State University was awarded a $35 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., which will be used to fund the design and construction of the new Performing Arts Center.4
University officials, local government leaders, and community partners agree that this ambitious project will significantly enhance Muncie’s “quality of place,” making the city more attractive to talented professionals while promoting economic growth.1
Sources
- Ball State University, “Ball State University Board of Trustees Advances Village Revitalization Plan,” Ball State University News Center, March 2022, https://www.bsu.edu/news/press-center/archives/2022/03/ball-state-university-board-of-trustees-advances-village-revitalization-plan. ↩︎
Current businesses:
Black Pearl Tattoos & Piercings
China Express
D-Ice Café
Little Snack Shop
Toke & Poke
Housing opportunities:
The Village Revitalization will add more housing opportunities for single families, professionals, University faculty and staff, medical residents, and nurses.
Town Homes and Single-family homes 2025-2027
New apartments 2025-2027
Recreation Spots:
Current recreational area:
The Cup seating area
Village Promenade Warehouse
Future recreation after the Revitalization: