Lafayette redevelops with a foot in the past and in the future

The city of Lafayette, Indiana, opposite the Wabash River from the college town of West Lafayette, is an old, history laden town, reflective of the nearby Rust Belt more so than its contemporary suburb to the west. Lafayette, being the larger town, has always tried to establish itself as an important regional center, independent of its neighbor, despite sharing its name.

West Lafayette is a constant state of rejuvenation because of its transient and youthful population. Cash comes into the town, through the state university and the tuition that comes from Chicago,Indianapolis and further afield. Lafayette sees a little bit of an economic boost, as the city hosts some student housing, and downtown is right across the river from some of Purdue's Greek residences, but for the most part, Lafayette is on its own.

Because of the stability of Lafayette's population, as opposed to the transience in West Lafayette, there is a greater stake in any redevelopment, with an overwhelming demand for long term utility, as opposed to cashing in on the latest craze. Despite a lower amount of cash flow for residents of Lafayette, the economy is reliable, and residents are able to be patient and considerate when looking forward.

Lafayette's 5 points intersection

Lafayette is home to some important manufacturers, with Subaru, Caterpillar and Alcoa, among others, all maintaining operations there. The town's history as a railroad and river town make it a historic hub for unrefined raw materials as well, with everything from grain to chemicals all passing through the region.

While the downtown area frequently sees new vendors move in, thanks to the easy accessibility from Purdue's campus, the rest of the city has remained in something of a stasis, aside from the burgeoning population at the outer reaches of the city and the fleet of chain restaurants along I-65. The growth at the outer reaches of the city, unlike the updates that West Lafayette sees, has more to do with the similar expansion of its corporate operators, rather than the success of Purdue University. 

With that in mind, the city of Lafayette is attempting to update some of the older portions of town, so as to accommodate a growing population, and to maintain the city's livability for residents who haven't spent their entire life in this little corner of Indiana. Lafayette, most importantly, is trying to stay Lafayette, rather than having its image being covered up by West Lafayette.

The most ambitious part of their redevelopment is the Five Points intersection just at the top of the hill coming out of the immediate Wabash Valley, and nearly approaching the suburban/interstate sprawl of I-65. It is essentially the outermost reaches of the original Lafayette.

Another factor in the desire to renovate this particular part of town, at the multi-faceted intersection of Main, South and 18th Street is that it is the nexus of many routes passing through town, connecting many different neighborhoods, including downtown, the Interstate sprawl, the neighborhoods to the north and retail to the south. It's a high traffic tract of land.

The 5 Points intersection of days past

With the renovations of Columbian Park nearby, the Five Points segment of the city can be a showpiece for the city of Lafayette. Most to the point, with the visibility, coupled with its central location and distance from Lafayette's younger, hipper neighbor, this is a development that can be Lafayette.

Right now, the city of Lafayette is rightly looking at the existing structures In the area in an attempt to renovate, rather than replace those buildings. There are a few notable historic buildings in the neighborhood, including a former firehouse that now serves as a municipal museum. One relic of the past that the city will likely try to amend is the nightmare inducing intersection itself.

West of the intersection, highway 26 splits to become the two primary, one way arteries through downtown Lafayette. 26, or South Street, then intersects with 18th Street a few hundred feet later, while 18th, continuing South from 26, intersects with Main Street, which continues northwest to encounter South Street where it splits. Confused? Why wouldn't you be?

I'm no city planner, but this junction, this confused mess, would be well served by being reorganized into a square or plaza, to account for all of the intersecting roads, and to get cars to slow down for local businesses. Never mind the central location, and the connectedness of the roadways, the platting of this area commands attention all its own.

Five Points represents what could be an important inflection point in the city. It depends on how deeply Lafayette commits to the changes for the region. Will they spruce up the historic structures that occupy the intersection now? Or will it be completely gutted, turning the intersection into a modern focal point for the Greater Lafayette area, complete with reworked traffic patterns and all new commercial structures?

Right now, it appears that the city will move towards the former option, which makes sense. Lafayette is latching on to its past and moving forward as its own pace. Lafayette will be Lafayette, and nothing more.