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GRAND RAPIDS – Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved a $12 million purchase of the former Grand Rapids Press building and five surrounding parking lots.

Geri Kelly, communications director for the MSU College of Human Medicine, told MiBiz the purchase was part of the university’s plan to grow its research portfolio. While there are no specific plans for the building yet, Kelly said the university is continuing to recruit researchers.

More lab space and bioscience and engineering facilities are anticipated, she said.

When the newly formed MLive Media Group in late 2011 announced Booth Newspapers would eliminate daily delivery of the Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette and Muskegon Chronicle in favor of a digital-first model, the company announced that it planned to sell its buildings and move into smaller offices in each city. The Press will soon move into new offices on Monroe Ave. above Founders Bank in downtown Grand Rapids, the Chronicle plans a move into the Sidock Building in downtown Muskegon and the Gazette will occupy space in a renovated facility on the Kalamazoo Mall.

The switch in delivery models also coincided with hundreds of layoffs across the newspaper chain.

** Editor’s note: This article has been changed. It has been updated with additional information.