Last year, we opened our new $74.8 million Applied Engineering Building and our $66 million Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center, and we cut the ribbon on our $73 million-plus Aerospace Shelbyville project. Here are the most recent updates on our ongoing capital projects.
Renovations to KOM and Rutledge Hall
• $54.3 million total project cost
• Estimated project completion: Summer 2026
• Both original buildings dating back to the institution’s founding in 1911, with KOM the first building on campus
• KOM to house Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, and Actuarial Science; Rutledge being converted from a residence hall into an office/classroom building for University College/University Studies
P3 Residence Hall
• Estimated completion: Fall 2027
• New five-story student housing building to contain 150 units/554 beds at the corner of Blue Raider Drive and Homecoming Circle, a natural threshold into campus, which represents the opportunity to connect academics, student life programs, and recreation and wellness hubs
New Parking Structure
• $27 million total project cost
• 182,000 square feet
• Estimated completion: Spring 2027
• Construction of a parking garage for 550 parking spaces on a portion of the existing Womack Lane housing site
Additions and Renovations to Murphy Center
• $119 million total project cost
• Estimated completion: Summer 2029
• Addresses a range of facility needs, including athletic program improvements, event and performance space enhancements, updated classroom spaces, dance studio enhancements, and more
• Includes construction of a new addition to provide a new, primary entry and lobby space to serve Murphy Center
Renovations to Floyd Stadium
• $16.5 million total project cost
• Estimated completion: Summer 2027
• Renovation and replacement of a portion of the west grandstand bleachers, providing new steel support structure and aluminum bleachers for these sections to match the remainder of the seating at Floyd Stadium
On-Campus Hotel
• Negotiations continuing for the previously announced construction of a four-story, on-campus hotel with 120 guestrooms at the corner of Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard
• Public-private partnership to serve as a real-world learning lab for Tourism and Hospitality Management students while also serving academic visitors, athletics families, attendees of Murphy Center events, and conference guests
• Lease negotiations in progress
• Would offer typical front-of-house and back-of- house hotel programming, outdoor pool and lawn, fitness center, meeting space, anchor restaurant, corner café, game room, and sky deck
• Interior finishes to follow brand standards with custom features tying back to MTSU themes
Seeking to capitalize upon these many multimillion-dollar investments in new campus facilities and future renovations at and around Greenland Drive and Middle Tennessee Boulevard in particular, I unveiled plans in 2025 to develop this area into an entertainment and sports district for not only students but also local residents and visitors from throughout the region. Our long-term vision is to create what could be called The Lightning Zone, where our students can walk from their residence halls or nearby off-campus apartments to performances or games at Murphy Center or Floyd Stadium as well as stop for a meal at a favorite restaurant and meet family and friends. I expect it to be a place that draws community members and visitors not only for tournaments, conferences, and games, but also for an occasional night out—supporting local businesses and generating revenue for the city and county.