Renovations for an Indiana State University basketball arena can move forward after the state approved funding for the project.
Legislators authorized $37.5 million in state appropriations to renovate the Hulman Center in a State Budget Committee meeting Friday. To complete the project, ISU is also investing about $12 million to remodel both the inside and outside of the arena.
ISU Executive Director for Government Relations Gregory Goode says the renovations will benefit not only the university but the entire region.
"This is an investment that continues to build on our downtown revitalization commitments in ways that can better bridge Indiana State University with the Terre Haute community," he says.
Goode says the Hulman Center renovations are just phase one of the project. There are potential plans to build a convention center alongside the arena if there's enough interest and financial support.
Renovations will begin following the 2017-2018 basketball season. Construction is expected to be completed in a little over two years.