Purdue projects gain approval from the Indiana State Budget Committee

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) said the Indiana State Budget Committee has today approved the start of two projects on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus.

The committee gave its consent to $3.9 million in funding for the Shreve Hall Academic Support Center and $770,000 for the renovation of Room 201 in the Horticulture Building. The approval came during the committee’s April 20 meeting in New Albany. Klinker serves on the State Budget Committee.

“The former dining area in Shreve Hall has been under-utilized since the reconfiguration of dormitory dining on the West Lafayette campus,” explained Klinker. “The decision was made to create an academic support center to assist students. It is a large area on the first floor, between the two resident towers.

“The other project is the renovation of the laboratory space in Room 201 in the Horticulture Building,” continued Klinker. “The lab will be updated and new air-handling units will be installed. I appreciate that my fellow legislators on the State Budget Committee recognized the importance of both of these projects. They will directly assist students in achieving their full academic potential during their time at Purdue.”

The Horticultural Building project was originally estimated to cost less than $750,000. However, structural issues were discovered during the demolition phase of the project, which resulted in additional repairs and inspection.

Funding for the Shreve Hall Academic Support Center will come from the Housing and Food Services Department Reserves. The renovation of Room 201 in the Horticultural Building will be funded from the University Department Funds and the University Repair and Rehabilitation Funds.