Demolition set Sunday ahead of $56.9M John Purdue Block project

Dunn and Hargitt building, next to the John Purdue Block at Second and Columbia, is scheduled to come down Sunday, will close traffic on bridge. New images of planned project revealed.

(Photo: Dave Bangert)

Demolition of the Dunn and Hargitt building at Second and Columbia streets is scheduled for Sunday morning, as things get rolling in earnest for a $56.9 million redevelopment of the John Purdue Block in downtown Lafayette.

Fencing went up around the four-story building late this week, and work is expected to start at daylight Sunday, Antone Najem, owner of Indianapolis-based Third Street Ventures, said. The demolition permit cleared a required 60-day waiting period in February.

(Photo: Dave Bangert)

Westbound traffic on the Columbia Street bridge crossing the Wabash River will be closed starting at 6:30 a.m. Sunday and then for much of the day, according to notices from the city. Second Street, between Columbia and South streets, also will be. A detour into West Lafayette Sunday includes going across the Harrison Bridge, north of downtown Lafayette.

Plans show that the block of Second Street, tucked between the approaches to the downtown bridges, will include a renovated John Purdue Block building – former home of Sgt. Preston’s of the North bar and restaurant – backed by a new, six-story complex that would include a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments, first-floor commercial space and two floors of parking.

Najem shared additional, updated renderings of the planned project Saturday.