Indiana Tech proposes two new buildings to accommodate student housing, shops

By Kevin Leininger | News-Sentinel

The Indiana Tech building boom continues in the form of plans to add more student housing and retail space near its downtown campus.

According to an application filed this week with the Allen County Department of Planning Services, the school is seeking to erect two buildings near 1411 E. Washington Blvd. across from the campus. One building would face East Washington and would include four stories, with student housing on the top three floors and space for shops at ground level. The other building would face Schick Street and include three residential floors. The stores would be available to both students and nearby residents, the application states.

Indiana Tech is seeking waivers on height limitations to accommodate the plans. The waivers would allow the buildings to be consistent with existing structures and the ability to provide more interior space on a smaller footprint.

Construction has been common for Indiana Tech in recent years. The school is currently working to convert part of the Donald Ross Golf Club on South Calhoun Street into athletic facilities and has also announced it plans to lease 10,000 square feet in the Electric Works project on the former General Electric campus. In 2011 Indiana announced plans for a $4 million, three-story residence hall near Schick and East Washington after building a dorm in each of the previous four years. In 2010 Indiana tech also announced plans for an 18,500-square-foot “athletic annex.”

Because of a shortage of student housing, officials at Purdue University Fort Wayne recently said they would at least temporarily provide space in the nearby Holiday Inn across from the Memorial Coliseum.

Indiana Tech officials could not immediately provide additional details about the proposal, which could be the subject of a public hearing next month.