Downtown Fayette’s newest building now has a name. Central Methodist University announced on its Facebook page last week that the three-story structure will forever be known as “Eagle Plaza.” The moniker was chosen from suggestions made to the University. Dawson Wiswall and Shelley Monnig were credited with the winning submissions.

As has been previously reported by the Fayette Advertiser, the university purchased nearly a block of derelict buildings on the west side of Fayette’s downtown courthouse square in 2021. The old buildings were demolished in January 2022 to make way for the new three-story building that will house students on the top two floors. The ground-level floor will be reserved for retail space and is expected to house an outlet for the Central Methodist bookstore.

Little Dixie Construction, of Columbia, is the contractor working on the $9.3 million project. Last week, brickwork on the north side of the building was completed in the style of historic Brannock Hall, which serves as the administration offices on campus.

The building is expected to be completed next year, and Central hopes to begin housing students there starting with the Spring 2024 semester.