BoilerCribs dead (for now), other WL projects alive

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The controversial West Lafayette planned development known as BoilerCribs or the Landmark Planned Development has been put to bed.

Just one week earlier, owner and developer Marc Muinzer had told NewsChannel 18, "We're looking forward to taking this to city council and letting the vote lie in their hands."

But Ryan O'Gara, Assistant Director for the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission said things have changed.

"The project is essentially suspended indefinitely," O'Gara said.

The development had plans for 600 beds in 250 apartments, along with more than 37,000 square feet of retail space across from Mackey Arena.

The Area Plan Commission denied the rezoning request by a vote of 13-1 on February 15.  The lack of adequate parking was one of the biggest hurdles.

Muinzer told NewsChannel 18 he was undeterred and looked to present his case directly to the West Lafayette City Council at next month's meeting.  But Thursday, by email, he informed all parties involved that he was withdrawing.

"I was a little surprised to see (it) because Mr. Muinzer had been very adamant that he wanted to make his case to the city council," said O'Gara.  "But I guess the reality was the votes weren't there, so he withdrew it."

O'Gara says the email is clear Muinzer promises to be back with a different design.  But there's no time-table given for when that will happen.

In the meantime, area planners have four other projects they are working on.

They include a five-story mixed commercial and apartment building at the corner of State Street and Northwestern, a six-story, 125 unit, 281 bed, apartment building on the southeast corner of Grant and Harrison, a three-story apartment building at Northwestern and Meridian with about a dozen units, and a four-story mixed use building owned by Faith Church on Northwestern.

"Each one is pretty unique and exciting I would say," O'Gara said.  "Things we haven't seen since the recession really took hold and I think that does speak to the local economy is certainly bouncing back."

O'Gara said all four projects could be ready to go before the Area Plan Commission in March or April.