Last month, students went back to the classroom for the first time since IUPUI officially split in July. If you drive through the former IUPUI campus, not much has changed other than signage that now says IU Indianapolis.
IU and Purdue are working to create separate identities in downtown Indianapolis. It might be a little confusing and hard to keep up with — so welcome to “The Split of IU and Purdue 101.”
IU Indianapolis
The campus formerly known as IUPUI has remained in its place + is now fully owned and operated by IU. Although IU Indianapolis inherited many of the old IUPUI facilities, it aims to revamp and grow in its new identity.
Back in June, the IU Board of Trustees approved plans for a $110 million multi-sport arena in downtown Indianapolis. The 134,500-sqft facility will be built on part of a 7-acre green space at the northwest corner of Blackford and Wabash streets. It will be used for hosting IUI basketball and volleyball games, but the facility will also be a space for the downtown community — it may also be used for high school games, concerts, events, and other community uses.
The IU Indianapolis Athletics Center will complement the existing IU Natatorium, Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium, and IU Indianapolis Softball Complex.
Photo by IU Board of Trustee via @iuindianapolis
In addition to that project, IU Indianapolis plans to add a $65 million science building to its campus to make room for lab and research space. The 80,000-sqft space will be built on West New York Street near the other science buildings on campus.
Renovations to IU Indianapolis academic buildings, like the business, public affairs, and social work buildings are also in the campus’ future.
Purdue in Indianapolis
Because IU Indianapolis now owns the downtown campus, Purdue in Indianapolis is left with the challenge of creating a new campus and building up its reputation in the city.
For now, the university is leasing five classroom buildings, part of IU’s dorm North Hall, and more than half of the off-campus apartment building LUX on Capitol.
The first new Purdue building will be a $187 million Academic Success Building that will include a student center with dorms, classrooms, and a dining area on 28 acres near the Madam Walker Legacy Center and the intersection of West and Michigan streets. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2025 and is expected to be completed in May 2027.
Purdue in Indianapolis wants to expand across much of the Circle City and has established several different spaces for its programs, including:
- The Mitch Daniels School of Business Executive Education programs at High Alpha in the Bottleworks District
- A Materials and Manufacturing Research Laboratories facility at 16 Tech Innovation District
- The Purdue/Eskenazi health psychiatry residency program at the Eskenazi Mental Health Center
- The Purdue Motorsports partnership with Dallara in Speedway
- Purdue’s partnership with Elanco Health in the One Health Innovation District
This was a lot, but don’t worry, there’s no final exam. What else do you want to know about IU Indianapolis or Purdue in Indianapolis? Ask us your questions and we’ll try to get you the answers.
