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May 26, 2004 Research Park breaks ground for International Technology CenterWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A ceremonial groundbreaking at the Purdue Research Park Wednesday (May 26) marked the official start of construction on the International Technology Center, a 75,000-square-foot facility that will include space for high-tech companies and a full-scale health club.
The facility is being built by Duke Construction of Indianapolis and funded by Research Park Associates LLC, which is the second group of Lafayette-based private investors to construct additional space for growing startup companies at the research park. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2004. "Although we have more incubator space under roof than any university-affiliated incubator in the country, we're full." said Joseph Hornett, senior vice president and treasurer of the Purdue Research Foundation, the organization that administers the research park. "Not only will our park companies have another option for office or lab space as they grow, but they are also really excited about this fitness center. Entrepreneurs work long hours, and the convenience of a nearby health club is an amenity that research parks must start offering to retain client firms and attract new ventures." Memberships to the fitness center, owned and operated by International Sports Clubs, are open to the public. The center will carry many of the same features and services as the one located in Lafayette, including advanced resistance and free-weight exercise equipment as well as flat-screen TVs and Internet access on each of the 50 pieces of cardiovascular training equipment in the cardio theater. The new center also will offer an advanced aquatics center with an Olympic-sized pool. "With wireless Internet capabilities, this fitness center will be the most advanced technology-wise in the state," said Paul Fortwendel. He and his wife, Lori, have owned and operated a fitness center in the West Lafayette Levee area for the past 20 years and a 40,000-square-foot facility on Indiana 26 in Lafayette for the past two years. The project will be constructed in phases: the 24,000-square-foot fitness center will be built on the west side of the building, followed by office space on the east side. Stephen Shook, the leasing representative for the project and a partner in The Shook Agency/Coldwell Banker Commercial Realty Services, said the group is working with three potential tenants to occupy space in the building's office portion. "We are talking with representatives from two companies who wish to lease space in the 8,000 square foot range, and one company interested in leasing 20,000 square feet." Shook says construction on the second phase of the project could begin later this summer, with a spring 2005 opening date. The building will be the first facility constructed in Phase II of the Purdue Research Park, which includes 50 acres of land developed under an economic development partnership among Purdue University, the Purdue Research Foundation and the City of West Lafayette. The building will be located at the intersection of Win Hentschel Boulevard and McClure Avenue, both newly constructed roads. "This new facility will be a most welcome addition to West Lafayette," said Mayor Jan Mills. "Purdue Research Park continues to be a hotbed of economic development – a place where high-tech companies are locating, expanding and creating jobs – because of the university and city's shared vision and investments in quality of life as well as infrastructure." Purdue Research Park, Indiana's first Certified Technology Park, is home to the largest university-affiliated, state-of-the-art business incubator in the nation. Life sciences, information technology and advanced manufacturing ventures make up the majority of the more than 100 businesses located on the park's 591 acres in West Lafayette. Writer: Jeanine Phipps, media relations, Purdue Research Park, (765) 494-0748, jsphipps@purdueresearchfoundation.org Sources: Joseph Hornett, (765) 496-8645, jbhornett@purdueresearchfoundation.org Stephen Shook, (765) 742-5096, sshook@cbcrs.com Wyatt Hornsby, public information officer, city of West Lafayette, (765) 775-5104, whornsby@mail.city.west-lafayette.in.us Paul and Lori Fortwendel, (765) 447-8866 or (765) 714-0521, jlfortwend@aol.com Related release: PHOTO CAPTION: From left, Joseph Hornett, senior vice president and treasurer of the Purdue Research Foundation; Lori and Paul Fortwendel, owners of International Sports Clubs; Stephen Shook, partner in Research Park Associates LLC; Drew Sanders, pre-construction director for Duke Construction; Martin C. Jischke, president of Purdue University; and Jan Mills, mayor of West Lafayette, take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday (May 26) at the Purdue Research Park. The event marks the beginning of construction to build the International Technology Center, a 75,000-square-foot facility that will include space for high-tech companies and a full-scale health club. The facility is being built by Duke Construction of Indianapolis and funded by Research Park Associates LLC, which is the second group of Lafayette-based private investors to construct additional space for growing startup companies at the research park. Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2004. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger) A publication-quality photo is available at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/images/+2004/ITC-groundbreak.jpg |
