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State Budget Committee approves Indiana House District 27-area projects

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INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) said the State Budget Committee met June 12 at the Statehouse where members approved several projects, including four for Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus as well as projects for the Indiana Veterans’ Home and Prophetstown State Park Aquatic Center.

The following Tippecanoe County projects were approved:

$5,013,492 / Indiana Veterans’ Home / replacement of centralized steam and electrical distribution systems

$54 million / Flex Lab Facility / financing and construction

$18.5 million / Innovation Design Center, Student Projects Facility / financing and construction

$14.6 million / Centennial Mall / utility tunnel repair with site improvements and landscaping

$8.2 million / Zucrow High Pressure Research Lab Test Cells / construction with the renovation and expansion of the High Pressure Research Laboratory Control Center

$1,172,000 / Prophetstown State Park Aquatic Center / repayment to Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for projects

“These are major projects that will enhance Purdue’s ability to stay in the forefront of research and technology,” said Klinker, who also serves on the State Budget Committee.

“For instance, the Flex Lab is a multidisciplinary research facility that is essential because of the growth of the College of Engineering. The lab will also serve future, diverse research needs. The Innovation Design Center will benefit undergraduate engineering and technology students by providing spaces for short-term to multi-year, collaborative, design-build projects.

“Another project the State Budget Committee approved is for the construction of the Zucrow High Pressure Research Lab,” continued Klinker. “The new building will have five test cells, a laser laboratory and additional research space. Purdue has earned a reputation for innovation, research and high academic standards. It is imperative that investments continue to be made in order to maintain Purdue’s position as one of the nation’s leading universities in engineering and technology.”

University officials told the State Budget Committee that the Centennial Mall project will repair and replace more than 1,000 linear feet of utility tunnel throughout the Centennial Mall and Central Drive area. The tunnel was built in the 1920’s and has deteriorated in some parts. Once the work is completed, “sitescape” and landscaping will be necessary to cover the tunnel’s repair. Officials say the Centennial Mall will then be better able to handle student traffic flow by providing distinct pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular designations.

The Indiana Veterans’ Home project will replace the 40-year-old steam system. A 2013 study recommended a centralized, hot water system, which is more cost-effective than the current boiler system. The electrical system was put into place in 1977 and is considered to be at the end of its life span.

At the State Budget Committee meeting, DNR officials requested and received approval for repayment for a portion of the Tippecanoe County Innkeepers Tax. This will be deposited in the state’s general fund for Fiscal Years (FY) 2016 and 2017. The repayment is for Prophetstown State Park and Aquatic Center projects. Starting in FY 2018, the Tippecanoe County Innkeeper’s Tax will be sent directly to the DNR for the park’s Aquatic Center.

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