The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved the next phase of renovations that will maximize research potential at the IU School of Medicine on the IU Indianapolis campus, as well as an architectural design and temporary lease for renovations to the Gamma Phi Beta sorority on the Bloomington campus, during its November meeting in Fort Wayne.
IU School of Medicine renovations
The IU School of Medicine renovations include a build-out of the Medical Education and Research Building and the VanNuys Medical Science Building basements. The total cost of the renovation project is estimated at $20.5 million, to be funded by IU School of Medicine funds and gifts.
The basement build-out project will create approximately 10,000 square feet of additional laboratory space needed to accommodate the growth of research programs and administrative offices, including an innovative educational laboratory space for the Department of Neurological Surgery and Department of Otolaryngology to support skull-based research.
Approximately 14,500 square feet of space in the basement of the VanNuys Medical Science Building will be renovated to create a research core hub to support IU School of Medicine researchers. The renovation will include the construction of a large freezer farm with an additional 45 freezers that will be used for central storage of critical samples and reagents.
More than 5,000 square feet of space will be allocated to research supporting musculoskeletal health and basic science courses. Research support space will be created to accommodate the growing number of researchers housed in the VanNuys Medical Sciences Building.
The basement build-outs will supplement previous approval from the Board of Trustees and the State Budget Committee in 2023 for renovations to IU School of Medicine facilities, for which construction is currently underway. The previously approved project includes renovation of three floors of the Medical Education and Research Building, encompassing 48,000 square feet of research space.
Gamma Phi Beta sorority improvements
The IU Board of Trustees approved an architectural design for the renovation and expansion of the dining area inside the Gamma Phi Beta sorority on the Bloomington campus and a temporary lease to house students during renovations.
The modifications will improve living conditions in the sorority house. They include the creation of a two-story entry addition to alleviate crowding, adding a new stair tower to improve circulation and natural sunlight within the building, and increasing the size of the existing dining space to accommodate all chapter members. The renovations will also create additional study and small group spaces that are integrated throughout the entire building. Restroom facilities will be upgraded.
Exterior improvements will be made to the building, including a new entrance sidewalk that provides a more direct entry for students coming from campus. Vinyl siding will be replaced with upgraded fiber cement siding, and shingles will be replaced to create a uniform look between the new addition and the rest of the building.
The board approved a lease of the Delta Delta Delta building at 818 E. Third St. as renovations take place at Gamma Phi Beta, 1305 N. Eagleson Ave.
