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Friday, May 9, 2025AfiSectionindianapolisrecorder.comBy HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comPurdue University is strengthening its presence in Indianapolis, focusing on collaboration and inclusivity as it works alongside community leaders and partners in the historic Indiana Avenue district. With several new facilities and projects underway, the university%u2019s expansion aims to foster innovation while honoring the area%u2019s cultural and historical significance.Purdue%u2019s efforts in Indianapolis include several key projects:The 28-acre campus launched in July of last year.The 248,000-square-foot Academic Success Building near Michigan and West Streets are set to provide classrooms, laboratories, residential space, dining facilities and community access.The 518-520 Indiana Avenue facilities were established to meet near-term space needs for Purdue%u2019s students, faculty and staff.A 29,500-square-foot building at 401 W. Michigan Street, with plans for future activation depending on Purdue%u2019s needs.According to Evan Hawkins, senior director of administrative operations for Purdue, these developments aim to create a vibrant, interconnected space for students, faculty and the local community to thrive together.%u201cI think there%u2019s just such a tremendous amount of history and legacy on The Avenue,%u201d Hawkins said. %u201cAs we have embarked on listening tours, we%u2019re just in awe of the sense of pride as it pertains to the history and legacy of the avenue, and what we%u2019ve heard is a strong desire to sustain and maintain that history and that legacy. Purdue%u2019s presence in Indianapolis requires us to engage and understand that history and listen.%u201dCommunity collaboration is central to Purdue%u2019s plans. Leaders like Hawkins and Renee Thomas, associate vice provost for student access and community engagement, have spearheaded conversations with local stakeholders to align Purdue%u2019s expansion with the community%u2019s needs and aspirations.%u201cEvan and I have gone on what I call a listening tour, and we%u2019ve met with a variety of community stakeholders,%u201d Thomas said. %u201cWe%u2019ve been recognizing that we are the new kids on the block and new to the community, so we wanted to understand better the vibrance of the historical neighborhood in which we sit.%u201dPurdue%u2019s Indianapolis expansion also includes academic programs to address workforce needs and capitalize on local opportunities.The Motorsports Engineering program, the only accredited undergraduate program in the country, will be housed at Dallara%u2019s U.S. headquarters on Main Street in Speedway, across from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.A reimagined Construction Management Technology program is being relaunched to meet growing industry demands.New programs in Sport Management, in partnership with Indiana Sports Corp, and Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing, in collaboration with SpectronRX, will launch next semester, further strengthening ties between Purdue and Indianapolis-based entities.A key part of the initiative is ensuring that the development respects and integrates the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Indiana Avenue district. Purdue is working to build trust and foster open dialogue with residents and local organizations as the campus evolves. Additionally, Purdue will be present at the Madame Walker Legacy Fest in June and the Indiana Black Expo Youth Summit in July.%u201cWe%u2019ve been partnering with some community residents,%u201d Thomas said. %u201cA couple of weeks ago, we partnered with St. Philip%u2019s Church, and we had a group of students do some volunteer work at St. Philip%u2019s in which they were cleaning up the lot, both exterior and interior, for the church.%u201dThe Academic Success Building stands out as a cornerstone of Purdue%u2019s vision in Indianapolis. In addition to serving the university%u2019s students, the facility will be accessible to local high schools and community members, creating a bridge between education and the neighborhood.%u201cThe Academic Success Building, which is currently under development, we broke ground recently on the corner of Michigan and California, is Purdue University%u2019s largest capital project in history and will be a gateway and truly an anchor for Purdue University in Indianapolis,%u201d Hawkins said.Purdue%u2019s projects also open doors for local engagement in science, technology and the arts, ensuring that the university%u2019s expansion will be a resource for all.%u201cStudents being exposed to community civic and industry partners, the co-ops, internships, creates that stickiness, right?%u201d Hawkins said. %u201cAnd ultimately contributes to a retention of talent in the city as well as the state of Indiana to accelerate our STEM talent pipeline, which is critically important to the infrastructure of our state and our nation.%u201dAs construction progresses and academic programs launch, Purdue%u2019s Indianapolis campus is poised to become a hub of innovation, education and opportunity. The university%u2019s commitment to the community is clear: this is a project built for students and the city as a whole.%u201cWe%u2019re optimistic about what lies ahead for Purdue University and not only Purdue University, but the residents of Indiana, the entire city of Indianapolis,%u201d Thomas said.For more information about Purdue%u2019s expansion, visit purdue.edu.Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.%u00a9 2025 IU Health 4/25 MRG46510Odds are, the skills you teach will make memories that last.Your loved ones will need more than just the care you give. So trust the highly skilled physicians at Indiana University Health to make sure leading-edge care is always by your side.46510_01_IUH_BRND_IndyRcrdr_10.25x10.5_M_r1v2.indd 1 4/21/25 1:38%u202fPMBuilding bridges: Purdue expands role in IndianapolisRenderings from the new Academic Success Building that is scheduled to be completed in 2027. (Photos provided/Purdue University)