Ivy Tech announces plan to build new main campus building in Columbus

Ivy Tech Community College will build a new main campus building in Columbus.

The design of the new building will benefit from the Cummins Foundation Architecture Program, which will recommend architects for consideration and provide funds for the design portion of the College’s new campus building.

Ivy Tech officials say the $32 million, 80,000-square foot structure will be built at the Columbus Air Park behind the College’s current main campus building, Poling Hall. The new building will replace Poling Hall with a facility that caters to modern technology, collaboration, academics, student learning and Ivy Tech’s advanced programs.

“A new campus facility will significantly improve the learning and collaborative environments for our students and employees,” Ivy Tech Columbus Chancellor Dr. Steven Combs said. “We are sincerely grateful to the members of the Indiana legislature for funding and to the Cummins Foundation for its generosity and assistance as we prepare for this pivotal milestone. We have a lot of planning to do, and we look forward to sharing and engaging our communities in this process.”

The new Ivy Tech Columbus building will represent the first building project sponsored by the Cummins Foundation Architecture Program since the design of the neighboring Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence at the Columbus Air Park in 2009. The Ivy Tech Foundation will receive the grant from the Cummins Foundation.

“We truly appreciate this meaningful gift from the Cummins Foundation,” said Therese Copeland, Executive Director of Resource Management at Ivy Tech Columbus. “The Architecture Program will help us thoughtfully shape our campus as we serve our communities and our students.”

A team from the Cummins Foundation will generate a list of five architects for the College to consider. Once the College selects an architect, the Cummins Foundation will provide funds for the design portion of the architect fees. Ivy Tech anticipates breaking ground in 2020 with completion in 2022.