As construction continues on the new IU medical school downtown, university officials announced Tuesday that two new developments could be in the works. Thanks to a donation from IU Trustee and Evansville native Pat Shoulders and his wife, Lisa, a capital campaign has begun in an effort to bring a large courtyard and community plaza directly in front of the medical school campus.

The rest of the funding for the estimated $1 million project will come from private philanthropy and money built into the budget of the overall medical school project, according to Tom Morrison, the vice president of capital planning and facilities for Indiana University.

Shoulders, a longtime champion of all things Evansville, came up with the idea while visiting Europe.

"Dancing water [fountains], places to sit, trees, squirrels, life, fields, football, frisbee, those kinds of things," Shoulders said. "Remember we're studying medical science, the humanities. There's no reason to do it if its not attached to people and making their life better. Let's be constantly reminded of the patients, the people, the life, the happiness, the energy, the reason we're all down there."

Morrison told the Evansville Rotary Club on Tuesday afternoon that construction remains on time and on budget. Construction on the $61 million project. Medical students from Indiana University, the University of Southern Indiana and University of Evansville will study at the new campus.

"Sometimes college students and medical students get all wrapped up in their studies and they forget about the world around them," Morrison said. "We think this (plaza) will be a good opportunity for them to see that."

Morrison and Shoulders also briefly mentioned a possible new research development that could be built on the land currently occupied by Townsquare Media. Such a project would be separate from the medical school. However, it would work hand-in-hand with the campus, Morrison said.

"We're excited about it because that's the kind of development that our building and our center can catalyze within the community," Morrison said.

Once the medical school campus is up an running, two major research components will be featured. The campus will feature geriatric and mental health research, Morrison said.

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Two New Developments Could Accompany IU Med School - Tristatehomepage.com