MSU board to vote on name for new residence hall

Missouri State University's new residence hall is on the verge of getting a name ahead of it scheduled August opening.

The MSU Board of Governors' executive committee tomorrow is scheduled to vote on Heitz House as the name of the student-housing project, according to the meeting agenda.

The name pays homage to John Heitz, a friend of Bryan Magers, owner of residence hall developer Bryan Properties LLC. While the university purchased the residence hall for $24 million from Bryan Properties, the appraised value was more than the asking price. Magers covered the difference as a donation to MSU and requested the name, according to the board agenda.

Heitz also has been a donor to the MSU Foundation and a real estate developer.

The nearly 205,000-square-foot residence hall, at 636 E. Madison St., includes a four-story parking garage with over 280 parking spaces, topped with three levels of living space. The residence hall is designed with 200 double-occupancy bedrooms as well as a private bathroom on each floor, according to past reporting.

MSU spokesperson Andrea Mostyn said the residence hall is on track to open for the fall semester at capacity with 400 residents.