Tippecanoe County Officials are supporting a proposal from Faith Ministries to develop a vacant lot in West Lafayette.
The Area Plan Commission voted last night to recommend a rezoning request for the former Family Inn property on Northwestern Avenue.
The proposed development is called Faith West, and features apartments, a ministry facility, and a landscaped park.
Senior Pastor Steve Viars says thanks to input from community members, it will be easy for nearby residents to access the facilities, especially the park.
"That surprised us. We thought they would want it to be shielded and we would have been happy to do that. But they really asked us to create something that the neighbors could very easily come onto our site and enjoy. And so we're looking forward to that privilege, to be able to get together with our neighbors."
Viars hopes to break ground this summer, and expects construction to take roughly a year.
Area Plan Commission Assistant Director Ryan O’Gara says the development’s multiple uses raised some questions.
"We wanted to make sure there was good access to the site. We wanted to make sure that there was plenty of parking, because they are going to be drawing folks from all over the community, not just Purdue students, who are their principal outreach for this site."
The project now goes to the West Lafayette City Council for final approval.
