WL Fire Station No. 2, public safety campus cost estimate: $45.5M
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WL Fire Station No. 2, public safety campus cost estimate: $45.5M
City gets first look at price to replace, move Station No. 2, connect it to police station. Plus, Ukrainian family living in WL lose husband, father in war. And this week’s Tim’s Picks of what’s up
Support today comes from the Delphi Opera House, which presents Audrey Johnson in “We've Come a Long Way, Ladies – A musical celebration of the 19th Amendment” at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25. The unique and inspirational historical review celebrating Women's History Month is told through songs, stories and costume, accompanied by singer-songwriter-musician Lee Anna Atwell. For tickets and more information, click the link below.
NEW WLFD STATION NO. 2, PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPUS ESTIMATED COST: $45.5 MILLION
West Lafayette got its first look Wednesday at a potential price for a replacement for Fire Station No. 2 and renovations for the city’s police department, in what the city is reworking into what it’s calling a public safety campus.
The estimated price: $45.5 million, according to a $95,000 feasibility study from architecture firm Shive Hattery Inc..
The plan would scrap the existing Fire Station No. 2, built in 1963 near the corner of Salisbury and Navajo streets, in favor of a new station across Salisbury Street on the site of the former West Lafayette City Hall, which was demolished several years ago.
It also would join the fire station with the West Lafayette Police Station. The two departments would share fitness and training areas, with renovations for a police station built 20 years ago.
“I’m not saying this Is the plan we’re going to go with,” Larry Oates, president of the West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission, said Wednesday. “But it’s a stepping off place. … The city’s got a lot to think about.”
Erin Easter, the city’s development director, said the next step would be to figure out how a public safety center might be financed and call for a more detailed design. She said that could happen by the end of 2023. She said the earliest work could start would be in 2025.
Mayor John Dennis said the public safety campus would “a focal point for the city,” a symbol of West Lafayette’s growth. He also called it “a brick-and-mortar thank you” to firefighters and police officers.
City officials contend that Fire Station No. 2 has a series of issues, ranging from substantial repairs in recent years, a garage bay that is short enough that it forces the fire department to order custom trucks to fit and facilities and bunk space that leave no ability to station firefighters who are women.
The plan discussed Wednesday contends that there isn’t enough room on the current site, 531 W. Navajo St., to accommodate fire equipment and adequate living quarters for firefighters.
The plan looks at a fire station with 3½ bays that would allow firefighters to drive trucks through, rather than back them in. It also includes space to expand crews from nine to 11 firefighters per shift, decontamination spaces for turn-out gear, consideration for EV charging, storage space and a hose-drying tower that would incorporate fire training opportunities.
The fire department and police department would share an entrance for the public. The plan also would include a parking garage west of the current police station.
The city also has fire stations on Kalberer Road and at Northwestern Avenue and North Street.
UKRAINIAN FAMILY LIVING IN WEST LAFAYETTE LOSE HUSBAND, FATHER IN WAR
Terrible news came this week for Ukrainian neighbors who came to West Lafayette last year after the Russian invasion, with the death of their husband and father who stayed to fight. Kostyantyn Semchynsky, a university political science professor, volunteer in defense against the invasion and son of a West Lafayette resident, died Sunday in Ukraine.
The circumstances weren’t clear as of Wednesday. But friends of Olesia Vasylenko, his wife, and their children – Glebe and Solo, students in West Lafayette schools – organized a GoFundMe site to help the family with funeral arrangements and ongoing expenses during their stay in West Lafayette. As of Wednesday evening, the drive had raised more than $18,000, against an initial goal of $10,000.
Olesia Vasylenko and her children made it to West Lafayette in March 2022, a little over a month after the Russians invaded Ukraine. The journey with a flood of other refugees escaping war took them from their home near Kiev, across Ukraine to Poland, eventually to Austin, Texas, and then to West Lafayette, to the home of, Nataliya Semchynska, of her mother-in-law, and Joe Uhl. (Uhl, a retired Purdue professor, died March 10, at age 83.)
Here’s a closer look at the family’s trek to West Lafayette, via Based in Lafayette in March 2022.
To help, here’s a way into the GoFundMe for the family.
TIM’S PICKS
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
Five choice ideas for the weekend and beyond in Lafayette/West Lafayette.
“Dragons and Mythical Beasts,” 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette — The international sensation that brings to “life” such fantastical creatures as dragons, unicorns and massive stone trolls soars into downtown Lafayette this weekend. Produced by the United Kingdom’s Nicoll Entertainment, the show features enormous puppets interacting with a human emcee or locked into battle on the live stage. Operated by expert puppeteers, the family will be transported to a wonderful world of adventure and fantasy. The lively show even involves brave audience members to confront these “Mythical Beasts.” Recommended for ages 3 and older. $15 and $20. Tickets.
Atsuko Chiba, Hyper Tensions and Evil Waves, 8 p.m. Friday, March 24, The Spot Tavern, 409 S. Fourth St., Lafayette — Psychedelic and garage rock ‘n’ roll with a punk rock edge will be showcased by two Indiana bands and some new friends from up north. Hyper Tensions is a top punk rock act from Indianapolis thanks to the band’s driving beat, layered guitars and unbridled live energy while Evil Waves brings a tripped-out garage sound from Valparaiso. Hailing from Montreal, Atsuko Chiba is a wavy wonderland of sounds in the vein of The Mars Volta. Do catch this international/domestic trifecta of out-there rock. $10.
Laughing Jack, 9 p.m. Friday, March 24, O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers, 119 Howard Ave., West Lafayette — Laughing Jack is fueled by former members of Indianapolis-area Celtic acts Hogeye Navvy and Ennis Clare, both no strangers to performing in Greater Lafayette. The new band is armed with traditional instruments like fiddles, flutes and bodhrans. It draws from the experience of its four members for impressive sets of singalongs, pub songs and sea shanties. Usually, it’s no laughing matter when leaving a successful band but it is when a new one is formed like Laughing Jack.
Noah Kahan with Briscoe, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue University — When Bob Dylan last played Elliott Hall in 2004, he barely filled half of the cavernous, 6,000-plus-seat auditorium. This weekend, young indie pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan will perform in a sold-out Elliott. While it’s impossible to put Kahan on the same map as Dylan, the younger performer is backed by a billion of plays on Spotify and other digital audio streaming services. The Vermont singer also scored well on the talk show circuit with live performances on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “Late Night with Seth Myers” and “TODAY.” Armed with the strength of his new single, “Stick Season,” Kahan’s acoustic-driven sound hits with a wide swath of music fans as evidenced by another legit Elliott sellout, which is no easy feat. Opening the show is Briscoe, a young duo from Austin, Texas.
Lunar Ticks, 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, People’s Brewing Company, 2006 N. Ninth St., Lafayette — $10. Young Chicago act Lunar Ticks can Wilco but also Ween. The band is as much Yo La Tengo as it is Umphrey’s McGee. Twang meets jam while shaking hands with rocking and wild, sonic exploration. This breathing mix tape elicits dynamic live performance as evidenced by the band’s latest digital release, “Phases - Evening.” This compilation contains snippets of live sets as well as a live radio performance. The brilliant idea allows audiences to witness where the band can go improvisationally while not forgetting its often wry lyrical content through more than two hours of music. However, catching this band live in an intimate setting like People’s is the best way to get bit by Lunar Ticks. $10. Tickets.
Thanks for the Delphi Opera House for sponsoring today’s edition of Based in Lafayette.
Note: Look for a second edition of Based in Lafayette later Thursday morning.
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WL Fire Station No. 2, public safety campus cost estimate: $45.5M
"$95,000 feasibility study" - yikes! I know about consulting fees, but....wow.