Kansas Board of Regents Approves K-State Campus Master Plan
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Board of Regents has approved Kansas State University's Campus Master Plan, a comprehensive vision for the future development of its three campuses over the next 10-15 years.
The plan outlines how the Manhattan, Salina and Olathe campuses will evolve to enhance infrastructure, foster research and boost enrollment, according to a university announcement.
President Richard Linton; Ethan Erickson, vice president of administration and finance; and Casey Lauer, associate vice president for facilities, presented the plan to the board in Topeka on Sept. 17.
The plan is guided by five principles: enhancing the K-State experience, transforming the built environment, expanding research, improving campus connectivity and promoting stewardship and resilience. It will be refined and presented to the board every three years.
The Manhattan campus will focus on renewing existing facilities, adding new buildings and identifying areas for future growth. Key projects include the restoration of Anderson Hall, the redesign of Bosco Student Plaza and the transformation of Ahearn Field House into a multipurpose events center.
The plan also includes a Campus Creek transformation to connect the entire campus and expand access to the Kansas State University Gardens, K-State Athletics and the Edge District.
Research core improvements will involve renovating existing facilities and developing new buildings to support interdisciplinary collaboration and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Edge District will expand to enable greater public and private partnerships, with additional spaces for research and technology.
K-State Salina plans to build a new dormitory and create additional learning spaces, with enrollment expected to double in the coming years. The campus will also establish the K-AIRES Center for education, research and innovation in spatial computing.
K-State Olathe is prioritizing advanced manufacturing, the supply chain and food as medicine and community health. The plan envisions creating a learning hub on campus and offering new opportunities for collaboration with emerging industries.
Future projects include two proposed facilities to support academic, research and training functions, each with a capacity for modest expansion.
"This is an exciting time for K-State," Lauer said in the announcement. "Our new master plan strategically guides the development of our campuses, ensuring our facilities and infrastructure align with our academic mission, values and priorities outlined in our Next-Gen K-State strategic plan."