A meeting of the Physical Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees convened at 9:27 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019, in Room 326 of Stewart Center on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

All committee members were present: Gary Lehman, chair; Sonny Beck; Michael Klipsch; and Daniel Romary. All other trustees present were: Michael Berghoff; JoAnn Brouillette; Vanessa Castagna; Malcolm DeKryger; Thomas Spurgeon; and Don Thompson.

Officers and administrators in attendance were: Mitch Daniels, president; Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity; Bill Sullivan, treasurer and chief financial officer; Jim Almond, senior vice president, assistant treasurer, and assistant secretary; Steve Schultz, general counsel; Janice Indrutz, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board; Ron Elsenbaumer, chancellor of Purdue University Fort Wayne; and Tom Keon, chancellor of Purdue University Northwest.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes of its last meeting held on December 7, 2018.

II. APPROVAL TO PLAN, FINANCE, CONSTRUCT AND AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR UNION CLUB HOTEL RENOVATION

Trustee Lehman remarked, “Very seldom do we get a chance to influence an iconic landmark, other than an academic building, in a way that we will be able to do with our Union Club Hotel.  This is something that is long overdue…and when it’s all said and done we will have taken it to a whole other level for the next two generations to enjoy.”

Mr. Michael Cline, senior vice president for administrative operations, then formally requested approval of a resolution to plan, finance, construct, and award the construction contract for the Union Club Hotel Renovation project. He stated that, because the hotel was built during the span of 1929-1953, it was in need of upgrades. He explained that over 89,000 square feet of lobby space and guest rooms would be renovated and a new restaurant and bar would be added, and he said the renovation would also include finish upgrades to the Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms and bathrooms. He also specified that construction would start in June 2019 and be completed in June 2020. Mr. Cline reminded the Committee that $30,000,000 of the $35,000,000 project had been gifted to the university by former trustee Bruce White, Mrs. Elizabeth White, and the Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation.  

Trustee Lehman pointed out that the public’s requirements for lodging had obviously changed since 1929, and he said everyone had worked very hard to ensure that the renovation balanced the needs of today’s traveler and the desire to protect the history of the facility. In response to a question from Chairman Berghoff, Mr. Cline said he was comfortable with the one-year timeline to complete the renovation. Treasurer Sullivan added that the  conscious decision was made to close down the hotel completely during the renovation to allow all the work to be done at once. In response to a question from Trustee Castagna, Mr. Cline said foot traffic through the Union would still flow east to west via the ground floor.  Trustee Lehman thought it was important to once again recognize the generosity of former trustee Bruce White and his family which made the renovation possible. He noted that Mr. White was an alumnus of the Krannert School of Management and had contributed to the university in many ways.   

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the resolution.  Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

III. APPROVAL TO PURCHASE UNIVERSITY CHURCH FROM PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION 

Trustee Lehman shared the history of the Purdue Research Foundation’s strategic purchase of University Church several years ago and said the university’s subsequent purchase would allow the university to look at options for its use in a more expedient manner.  Mr. Cline then formally requested approval of a resolution to purchase the University Church property, located at 320 North Street, for $2,900,000. He explained how acquiring the property would benefit the university both near-term and long-term. Trustee Klipsch remarked that it was a very important property to have under the university’s control, and Mr. Cline described for Chairman Berghoff how the facility was currently used.

Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the resolution.  Supporting documents were filed with the minutes.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 9:38 a.m.