from 1978 to 1988, ariel continued to develop, and established itself as the urban center for the nearby jewish settlements. in 1980, the prefabricated homes were replaced with permanent housing. the college of judea and samaria, which would later become the ariel university center of samaria, and eventually ariel university, was founded in 1982. three elementary schools, a community center, a sports hall, and a synagogue were built. in may 1982, ariel was connected to the national power grid.