THREE CAMPUS BUILDING PROJECTS GAIN APPROVAL

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents approved plans Friday for construction of a new residence hall on Henderson Avenue and expansion of the Show Me Center and polytechnic building.

The board also pushed ahead with plans to develop hiking and biking trails on the downtown River Campus, a former Catholic seminary that the university plans to turn into an arts school.

The $13.2 million, five-story residence hall will be built on Henderson Avenue just south of the University Center. Construction is expected to begin in mid-August and be completed by fall 2002.

It will house 300 students and could be expanded, school officials said.

The Show Me Center will be expanded to provide added storage and new offices for the men's and women's basketball coaches. The $1.5 million expansion will be on the north side of the building and include a second-floor patio.

The Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building will be expanded by 6,600 square feet at a cost of $921,000.

The regents also authorized design and initial site work for a parking garage on New Madrid Street on the north side of the campus.