Campbell: State approves more than $53 million in improvements at Purdue

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) announced today that budget officials have approved more than $53 million in projects aimed to improve facilities and services at Purdue University.

Approval came during today’s meeting of the State Budget Committee at the Indiana Statehouse.

Projects approved today included:

• $35 million to proceed with the renovation of the Purdue Memorial Union Club Hotel, which has had no significant upgrades in many years. The renovation, which will be financed through gift funds, will include improvements to hotel guest rooms, existing ballrooms, and lobby space.
• $2.9 million to proceed with the purchase of University Church at 320 North Street in West Lafayette. Campbell said the location has been identified as the site for future academic and administrative projects through the university’s 2018 campus master plan. The purchase will be financed through operating fund reserves.
• $6.5 million to build the infrastructure needed to connect the existing Wade Utility Plant and the new Duke Energy CHP plant that will provide steam energy to the Purdue campus.
• $6.7 million to purchase the State Farm building located at 2550 Northwestern Avenue in West Lafayette. Campbell said the facility will house the data center currently located in the Mathematical Science Building, the transportation fleet housed at the Purdue Airport, swing space for departments that need to be temporarily relocated due to capital construction projects, administrative offices, and storage space.
• $2.68 million to lease a portion of the Aspire at Recovery Park apartments to provide additional housing that will address increases in student enrollment on the West Lafayette campus.

“These projects reflect the university’s desire to provide the best possible services for a rapidly growing student population,” Campbell said. “Recent reports have indicated that Purdue is attracting record enrollment numbers, and through a constant system of reviewing and upgrading programs and facilities, the university can adapt to the changing needs of students, faculty, and staff. It is good to see that our state recognizes the need to support universities across this state.”