Ball State’s Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning to Host Grand Opening of New Downtown Muncie Space, Oct. 2

Topics: Academic Programs, College of Architecture and Planning, Community Engagement, Muncie, President

September 11, 2025

Ball State University's Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (ECAP) will host a grand opening celebration for its newly launched downtown space from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 306 S. Walnut Street in Muncie. The event is free and open to the public and will coincide with Muncie's First Thursday ArtsWalk and annual Soup Crawl.

The nearly 5,000 square feet, located on the first floor of the historic Columbia Theater Building, serves as a dynamic hub for student learning, community collaboration, and campus partnerships during the Architecture Building renovation. The facility includes flexible studio zones, a gallery and event venue, the Center for Historic Preservation, a planning library, and a new GIS-driven Urban Planning Discovery Center.

The grand opening will feature remarks from Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns, Dr. Anand R. Marri, Ball State's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and ECAP Dean David Ferguson, along with a student representative. The speaking program will begin at 5:15 p.m., and light refreshments will be provided inside the venue.

Attendees are invited to explore student work, hands-on displays, and interactive exhibits throughout the space-offering a first-hand look at how the college is embedding immersive learning opportunities in the heart of Muncie.

"This is more than a new location-it's a new way of connecting," Dean Ferguson said. "We are grateful for the support of our campus partners, city leaders, and building owners, and we're thrilled to welcome the community into this creative space where students and neighbors can come together to design the future of our region."

The Oct. 2 event is part of ECAP's larger effort to expand its physical and civic footprint in Muncie. The downtown facility brings students and faculty directly into the community, providing real-world design experiences while contributing to regional revitalization.

Learn more about ECAP and its programs in design, planning, preservation, and more at bsu.edu/ecap.