WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — A building with a historic past on Purdue's campus is staying the way it is, at least for now. Purdue President Mitch Daniels said the university will not be making any major changes to the armory.
In April, cadets in the ROTC program shared concern with News 18 about Purdue's plan to possibly repurpose the building. University officials were tossing around ideas to better utilize the space. Students said there were rumors part of the armory could turn into residential dining and retail.
Now, Daniels says the building can accomplish what the university needs it to, without changing anything.
"It's been suggested to me that we might be able to make better use of it in the evenings or off times," said Daniels.
Daniels said over the summer, crews cleaned up lead residue in the armory, opening up the opportunities.
"Now that it has been cleaned up and spruced up a little, we can use it for events or dinners or other functions to get a little more use out of that wonderful facility," said Daniels.
Daniels said nothing will be changing with the ROTC program. The current building has stood on University and 3rd streets since 1918. It's one of the only large, general-purpose spaces on campus.