Troy University will soon expand its borders beyond campus with the purchase of two new facilities.

The Troy University Foundation is in the process of purchasing the old Wachovia Bank and the Park Lane Shopping Center, according to Senior Vice Chancellor of Financial Affairs Jim Bookout.

Bookout said the shopping center, which now has four retail stores and two churches on monthly or annual leases, will continue to maintain those leases.

The store that was once Hollis Furniture Store will become home to the university’s Information Technology Department in May 2009.

“Construction is scheduled to begin within the next two months to renovate that space, and IT is scheduled to move in 2009,” Bookout said.

The IT department, which is now housed in Bibb Graves, will occupy about 15,000 square feet, Bookout said.

Bibb Graves is scheduled to undergo renovations once the new College of Education building in opened in January 2009, and the Confucius Institute and the Center for International Business and Economic Development will take IT’s place.

The Wachovia building will be occupied by the schools Development Office, and will become a Welcome Center for the university.

The Development office will move to its new home this December, but what will take it’s place in the Adams Administration building has not yet been determined, Bookout said.