Father-son team helps city top out $55M downtown complex

Plus, in this issue: Lafayette IDs a future direction of housing growth. And an owner-occupied housing project gets ready to break ground in downtown

This and that heading into the weekend …

David Walker, left, and Clayton Walker, father and son and Local 22 Ironworkers, placed the top beam Friday morning for Lafayette’s $55 million Public Safety Center. (Photo provided)

TOPPING OFF LAFAYETTE’S PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER: Lafayette marked a moment Friday morning in the construction of its $55 million Public Safety Center when David and Clayton Walker, a father-and-son duo with Local 22 Ironworkers guided the final beam into place near the corner of Sixth and Columbia streets.

Dave Bangert @davebangert

If you signed it, your signature is up there as last beam placed on $55M Lafayette Public Safety Center in downtown.

The beam, painted white and covered with the signatures of Mayor Tony Roswarski, Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly and dozens of others, was carried four stories by cane operator Adam Tanton shortly after 10 a.m. Friday. The Walkers bolted the beam – holding U.S. and Lafayette flags, along with an evergreen traditional for topping off ceremonies – before snapping a selfie. Below, city officials marked the moment from the patio of the Tippecanoe County Historical Association across the street.