State Budget Committee approves major IUPUI projects

STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) said the Indiana State Budget Committee (ISBC) approved two major projects for the Indiana University Purdue University (IUPUI) campus during the committee’s meeting in Richmond today (Oct. 17).

The ISBC agreed to allow the construction of a new, $45.2 million dollar residence hall on campus as well as a $20 million renovation of the Indiana University Natatorium, also on the IUPUI campus.

“This residence hall is a tremendous project that will significantly contribute to the continued growth of the university,” said Moed.

“There has been a waitlist with more than 800 students wanting to live on campus. I am appreciative that the State Budget Committee members recognize the importance of the IUPUI campus and the positive impact it has not only on the city of Indianapolis, but also on the state of Indiana.”

The new residence hall will house 700 students. More than 1,900 students reside on the IUPUI campus.

The IU Natatorium project will renovate the building’s structure and its immediate exterior. That will include replacement of the bulkheads in the competition pool, the roof deck and the tiles on the pool’s deck. In addition, the clerestory and concourse roofs, the fire pump, and sprinkler pipe will all be replaced as well as the pool filtration, lighting and mechanical system.

The City of Indianapolis will spend $10 million from future TIF revenues for the redesign of the street layout on the IUPUI campus. Some of the streets will become two-way and bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, lighting, signage, grass medians, gardens, and trees will be added.

The Natatorium has hosted the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials four times. The facility has an eight-lane, 50-meter competition pool and a six-lane, 50-meter teaching and training pool. In addition, the Natatorium has a world-class diving well. The facility holds 4,700 spectators with another 1,500 people on the deck, which makes the Natatorium the largest, permanent swimming competition facility in the country. Fifteen world records and 104 American records have been set in the Natatorium.