MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) – Business owners in the Village district near Ball State University are asking city leaders to help ensure the area is clean and safe when hundreds of students move into new apartments that are part of a $60 million development.
 
The Star Press reports the business owners have requested police patrols, crosswalks and better trash bins for the area.
 
Their concerns also include controlling the party atmosphere that could come with the influx of 500 students next year and working to establish an anchor store that would draw people outside the college demographic.
 
Mayor Dennis Tyler says the area has some long-standing problems and that he welcomes the merchants' ideas.