Ohio State University got final legislative approval yesterday to spend $3.1 million for a commercial building and a vacant lot at Neil and 10th avenues.

The state Controlling Board, a spending oversight panel, had a few questions about why the university is paying less than appraised value for two parcels, and more for the third. Leanne Chandler, a project coordinator at the university, explained that all three parcels were negotiated as one.

The properties, including the 11,000-square-foot Aveda Institute building, sold in recent years for a combined $1.2 million.

University officials have said that while they don't know yet what they will do with the land, it fits into the South Campus District master plan.

-- Jim Siegel jsiegel@dispatch.com