The Board of Regents held a special meeting Jan. 28 to discuss the purchase of Victor H. Brown ‘ Son Florist, eventually advising to the university to buy the property.

The board assembled on short notice due to the building just coming on the market, said Chris Cole, Northern Kentucky University director of communication. The florist is located at the main entrance of campus.

President James Votruba said the purchase is important so the “appearance of the university can be controlled.”

During the executive session, the board said because of the property’s proximity to the university, NKU should buy it. Rather than allow the land to be purchased by a developer and then be unable to get it, the Board suggests that the property be purchased now.

Cole said the building would be bought using the land-acquisition budget. He added that Governor Steve Beshear’s recent budget cuts will not directly hurt the project.

He added the building is a part of the Campus Master Plan, which sets the framework when property comes available.

“The master plan is a plan for the university’s growth and when property comes available it comes under the plan,” Cole said

According to the Campbell County Property Value Administration Web site, the building is worth $289, 400. However, Ken Ramey, vice president of administration and finance, said the price the university will pay is still being finalized.

Cole noted that nothing specific has been decided on the use of the building.

“(The building) is just for university purposes,” Ramey said. He added departments would likely occupy it.

Votruba said the new addition is important since the campus is continuing to grow, and that necessitates more property purchased.