Rendering of McKinley Commons. Courtesy of Ball State University.MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State is finalizing a construction project the university hopes will spur business growth and development in The Village, a retail and residential district on the southeast corner of campus.

McKinley Commons will be a living-learning facility operated by the university for students in the hospitality and food management program. It is expected to include two restaurants, a student-run sales area, large and small meeting rooms and a lodging facility with approximately 100 rooms that will replace the university's current hotel in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.