At a 1/28/11 meeting at City Hall we learned of the Purdue Research Foundation's plans to build Wang Hall at the corner of Hayes and Northwestern. Indeed, demolition has already begun on Hayes St.
I am opposed to this plan.
1) This makes a mockery once again of the Land Use Plan supposedly under consideration for New Chauncey. No wonder people distrust politicians and bureaucrats.
2) It destroys a block of homes on Hayes St. that are a part of the Chauncey - Stadium National Register Historic District. These iconic homes are not only wonderfully designed, but also remind us of a time when Purdue faculty and staff lived not in Zionsville and Chicago, but within sight, sound, and smell of Cary Quad.
3) It violates the promise often made by Purdue not to have academic buildings "jump" Northwestern.
4) Wang Hall doesn't need to be here. This peripatetic building if built in Discovery Park would have a lobby with a portrait of the donor. Placed here, the ground floor can have a Starbucks and a souvenir shop, and PRF can make money. We in the neighborhood will bear the cost of the ensuing displacements.
I do not expect Purdue to be as progressive as some other Big Ten schools when it comes to the development and redevelopment of near campus neighborhoods. It ceased to be a "Maker" of community decades ago. I do expect courtesy and honesty from this our local industry. Later, after the politicians and bureaucrats have once again pushed the people and voters aside, perhaps a little shame and guilt.
2 comments:
Yet another example of never-ending construction.
"About 12,500 people work for Purdue University, the county's largest employer and seventh-largest employer in the state for its total Indiana employment. Some 37,000 students attend the West Lafayette campus, one of the largest U.S. universities.
Purdue's economic impact extends to service providers and retailers throughout the community. Statewide, the university estimates its economic impact at $2.2 billion, half for direct expenditures in salaries and expenses, and half in spending by businesses that supply Purdue." (http://www.shook.com/community/lafayette.asp)
Sir, why fight progress? The Wang Hall would benefit the Community as well as the University and the Students. By placing the hall by the rest of the science and engineering buildings, it facilitates ease of use for students within the program.
While I agree that expansion sometimes hurts historical buildings, a home from 70 or 80 years ago has no historic significance. Where as a building that could facilitate innovation and invention would do more for our futures and could be looked upon someday as the birthplace of something historic.
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