The Tippecanoe County Area Planning Commission on July 16 unanimously recommended approval of a West Lafayette plan development called the District at Tip Tapingo, a multi-block mixed-use project that would add housing, retail and new public streets to an underutilized site east of River Road.

Petitioners proposed five buildings across five blocks, two public parking garages and a new local street grid; the development team told the commission the first phase will build Blocks D and E on the western edge of the site. The project application described about 960 residential units, nearly 19,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and roughly 967 parking spaces for the full development.

Why it matters: The project would redevelop a long-underused site and extend the city street grid, including a new linear park and four new public streets, supporting West Lafayette’s downtown plan and a 2024 downtown traffic study that called for additional connectivity.

Amanda, a member of APC staff, told commissioners the PD will convert an underdeveloped portion of West Lafayette and add “fitness centers, co working areas, outdoor courtyards, rooftop spaces, and 2 private dog parks” as resident amenities. Amanda also said the PD includes two parking garages in Blocks B and D and that several standard conditions and coordination items must be completed before final plans are recorded.

Kevin Riley, an attorney with RTS Law representing the petitioner, said the project team has been working with city and APC staff for about two and a half years and asked commissioners for the recommendation. “There will be no leases that are terminated early. The building won’t be torn down until all of those leases expire,” Riley said, referencing existing tenants in riverfront apartment buildings that are part of the site.

The commission asked no substantive questions and issued a unanimous yellow ballot recommending approval. Staff said the case will appear before the Westside Council on Aug. 4 for the municipal decision.

Discussion vs. action: Commissioners heard staff and petitioner presentation and asked no follow-up questions. The commission’s action was a recommendation (unanimous) to the municipal council; no final municipal decision was made by the APC.

What’s next: The APC recommendation and the PD application will be considered by West Lafayette’s council on the Westside Council agenda on Aug. 4. If the council approves, petitioners will proceed with the city’s final detailed plan and permitting steps.