‘Protest vote’ coming for Purdue's rebuilt barn, called a wake up call on housing

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This barn in Sheridan has been disassembled and is scheduled to be reassembled as a restaurant and gathering space for Purdue’s Discovery Park District. (Photo: PRF)

A nearly-century-old barn the Purdue Research Foundation wants to move and rebuild as a restaurant, gathering spot and focal point for its Discovery Park District turned into a talking point Thursday night for West Lafayette City Council members looking to get the university’s attention on housing issues.

Council President Peter Bunder announced that he planned to vote against a rezoning request for the 10,000-square-foot retired barn – one donated by Purdue Trustee Sonny Beck in the summer of 2021 for a lot close to Airport Road and State Street. Bunder said he wasn’t comfortable voting for “a party barn” in Squirrel Park, close to where the university demolished units once devoted to married student housing.