Purdue gets approval for manufacturing and life sciences projects
INDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) said the State Budget Committee gave its approval Monday at a meeting in Noblesville for two major projects on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus.
Committee members agreed to allow the university to enter into a five-year lease agreement for 30,000 square feet of the future Indiana Manufacturing Institute to be located at the southwest corner of Yeager Road and Challenger Ave. in the Purdue Research Park. The $7 million will be used for the estimated cost of $1.4 million per year for the five years.
The Committee also approved the expenditure of $6.35 million for the Life Sciences Utility Infrastructure and Site Development project. The plan includes providing new steam and chilled water service from the university’s distribution system to Hobart and Russell Creighton Hall of Animal Services and the Land O’Lakes Center for Experiential Learning. In addition, the project provides for the installation of an underground utility distribution system that connects the system serving Discovery Park. Other improvements will include a bike path/concrete sidewalks, irrigation lines, a seeded lawn, new lighting, a service driveway, and stormwater drains.
“Both of these projects are critical to the mission of Purdue,” said Klinker. “Discovery, learning and engagement through exchange of knowledge are of primary importance to Purdue’s commitment to higher education and our state. These projects help the university fulfill that mission.
“Positioning itself as an innovative leader in manufacturing and the rapidly growing life sciences fields, Purdue will continue to be an academic pioneer as it explores the possibilities of new discoveries for the next generation of products in industry and science.”
The lease contract at the Indiana Manufacturing Institute will be with the Purdue Research Foundation and the Indiana Manufacturing Institute. The future building, on land donated by the city of West Lafayette’s Redevelopment Commission, will be home to Purdue’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovations. The building’s remaining 32,000 sq. ft. of space will be used for private or public enterprises that collaborate with Purdue on research projects.