Purdue trustees approve hospital lease, building renovations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Board of Trustees on Friday (Feb. 8) approved leasing space for the Purdue pharmacy program in the new Wishard Hospital office complex being built in Indianapolis.

Since 1975 Purdue pharmacy faculty have provided clinical and administrative services to Wishard Health Services that also give Purdue student pharmacists clinical educational experience. The new $3.3 million, 10-year lease for 10,734 square feet of office space, which begins Nov. 1, would allow for extension of the collaborative services agreement.

"The College of Pharmacy has been privileged to contribute to the improved health of thousands of Wishard patients through the years," said Craig K. Svensson, the college's dean. "The collaboration has also helped hone the professional skills of hundreds of young pharmacists who serve so capably throughout the state and nation."

Purdue pharmacy departmental funds will pay for the lease, but the hospital corporation reimburses Purdue for a portion of the program's faculty and staff costs.

In other business, the board's Physical Facilities Committee on Thursday (Feb. 7) awarded contracts to renovate the Math Sciences Plaza and underlying tunnel as well as restrooms in Harrison Residence Hall.

The $2.27 million construction contract with Kettlehut Construction Co. of Lafayette, Ind., calls for waterproofing a tunnel running beneath the Math Sciences building, replacing water and steam lines in the tunnel, and replacing and improving landscaping in the plaza above.

University repair and rehabilitation funds will pay for $2.74 million of the project's $3.14 million total cost. The remainder will come from central reserve funds.

The committee also approved a $2.04 million contract with Kettlehut to improve bathrooms on floors one through five of Harrison Residence Hall's south tower. The bathrooms will be renovated to replace aging fixtures, provide additional privacy, and meet accessibility requirements. The contract is phase two of nine in restroom improvements for the university's "H"-style, high-rise residences that date to the 1950s.

University Residences departmental funds, which come from hall resident user fees, will pay for the improvements, which were a priority suggestion from students.

Writer: Jim Schenke, 765-494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

Sources: Craig Svensson, 765-494-1368, svensson@purdue.edu