A new $60 million Agricultural and Life Sciences Facility that was designated as the university's top priority in a 10-year capital plan submitted to the state was given the green light to move forward by Purdue's board of trustees last Friday.
The board also took actions to advance an equine center in Shelbyville.
Trustees authorized planning, financing, construction and awarding of a construction contract for the approximately 123,000 gross-square-foot Agricultural and Life Sciences Facility complex, to be built at the intersection of S. Russell and Harrison streets. The building will consolidate Department of Animal Sciences students, faculty and staff into a unified complex to better coordinate teaching, research and engagement activities, as well as provide needed upgrades to teaching, research and meat lab facilities.
"This new location will provide the facilities needed to maintain our continued recognition as a premier program and attract top students and faculty, as well as to support the animal industries in our state and around the world at the highest levels," said Jay Akridge, Purdue's dean of Agriculture. "In addition, the location near the Life and Health Sciences Park and adjacent to Discovery Park will allow us to enhance collaboration among our college and the colleges of Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine."
The project will require the demolition of the Food Stores Bldg., Building Services and Grounds Bldg., and a storage shed. Construction is projected to begin in February 2016, with occupancy slated for July 2017.
Financing will come from $35 million in student fee bond proceeds approved by the General Assembly, $15 million in gift funds, and $10 million from the capital reserve for buildings. Purdue must provide $5 million in matching funds in order to activate the General Assembly's authorization of an additional $5 million in bonding authority for the project.
Trustees approved requesting assistance from the Purdue Research Foundation to assume responsibility for the design and construction of the $8.8 million Centaur Regional Equine Diagnostic and Surgical Center, which will be located in Shelbyville near Indiana Downs.
The state-of-the-art facility will provide health services to horses and serve as a working laboratory to support the College of Veterinary Medicine's student learning and research.
"This is an exciting partnership that will provide expanded training opportunities for our future equine specialists," said Willie Reed, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and professor of veterinary anatomic pathology. "We will have a cutting-edge facility to facilitate groundbreaking research and administer emergency medical services in a location near Indiana Downs."
The center will be built on land purchased by Purdue Research Foundation with $2.3 million in support from Shelby County and city of Shelbyville. Centaur Gaming, which owns and operates Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, has pledged $3.1 million to name the facility.