Indiana State Budget Committee approves Purdue projects

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) said the State Budget Committee gave its approval to projects on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus as well as one at the Indiana Veterans’ Home.

The agenda items were discussed during the committee’s meeting at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Wednesday, April 23.

Klinker, who serves on the State Budget Committee, said the projects include electrical upgrades, replacement of air handling units, site development, and various lease agreements that will affect several departments at Purdue. She outlined the various projects:

$1.6 million | Young Hall Electric Vault Upgrade: Replace primary transformers and install arc-flash mitigation breakers.

$1.495 million | Lynn Hall Air Handling Unit: Replace the existing ventilating and heating unit for the animal surgery and recovery suites. A single roof-mounted unit will be installed.

$658,000 | Center for Aging Infrastructure Phase 1 Site Development: The Center will include a multi-acre gallery, which will feature full-scale bridge structures, portions of complete structures, and several other components of common and uncommon details in the construction of steel bridges.

$158,305 | INTECH Lease Renewal: Renewal of 9,046 square feet of space in INTECH Park for the Purdue College of Pharmacy’s Center for Medication Safety Advancement and the Purdue Technical Assistance Program. Rent will be $158,305 in the first year and will increase gradually. By the fifth year, the annual rent will be $167,351.

In addition, Klinker says Purdue trustees will be allowed to proceed with the LifeCell land lease and the I.U. School of Medicine lease, both for $1 per year at locations on the West Lafayette campus.

The Indiana State Budget Committee also agreed to allow $655,000 from the Indiana Veterans’ Home Building Fund to be used to cover additional, unexpected expenditures. At the beginning of the MacArthur Hall renovation, mold was discovered, which resulted in the cleaning of ductwork as well as the replacement of drywall, plumbing and the 30-year-old heat induction units in each room.

“As a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, I am pleased the State Budget Committee gave its approval to the Veteran’s Home improvements,” said Klinker. “The expenditure to maintain a safe living environment for our heroes at the Veterans’ Home is an essential investment.

“All of these expenditures are wise appropriations,” continued Klinker. “The Electric Vault upgrade will result in a more reliable and safer electrical system for Young Hall. The new air handling until will bring the humidity and temperature controls up to current standards for medical facilities in Lynn Hall. The Center for Aging Infrastructure is an exciting project that will keep Purdue in the forefront of Civil Engineering research.

“The leasing of space for the various departments will enable continued exploration in a variety of research areas,” added Klinker. “Such investment is critical for Purdue to maintain its leadership role in so many areas of academic innovation.”