Purdue chooses Indianapolis developer for $1.2B project

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Purdue University’s research foundation on Monday announced that it has chosen the Indianapolis-based company Browning Investments LLC to develop a $1.2 billion campus project in West Lafayette.

Purdue University President Mitch Daniels has described the Purdue Innovation District project as a self-contained community on the western part of campus. Purdue officials have said the district could be home for a convention center, more student and non-student housing and retail and commercial uses. The development will have more than a million square feet.

Work will start late this year or early next year on residential, commercial and other aspects of the project, The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier reported (http://on.jconline.com/1YnFk3M ).

Browning senior vice president Adam Chavers said the plan is big enough that work could last the next 15 to 20 years.

The plan is related to West Lafayette’s $120 million State Street Project, which is a collaboration between Purdue and the city of West Lafayette. Daniels has said the State Street project will make Purdue more competitive in the academic market.

“If residential higher ed is going to retain its appeal to the best faculty and students, it will have to offer attractive settings for living, recreation and successful business neighbors,” Daniels said Monday. Daniel said the schools hopes the “adjoining innovation district will provide the foundation for a next era of growth and prominence for Purdue.”