Columbia College to get new academic, residence hall

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- A new $20 million facility will combine faculty offices, classrooms and a dormitory in one building to accommodate a growing student body at a college in Central Missouri.

The Columbia Missourian reports that Columbia College announced plans Monday for the four-story building, which would provide about 60,000 square feet of space.

College officials said in a statement that the school saw a 13 percent increase in student enrollment last fall and expects more growth.

President Scott Dalrymple says the facility will house School of Business Administration offices, six classrooms and a larger event center on the first floor. A 150-bed dormitory will take up the second, third and fourth floors.

Construction is slated to begin in spring 2018 and the building is expected to be finished by August 2019.