West Lafayette calls for proposals to redesign South Street Plaza in Chauncey Village

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The city of West Lafayette is calling for proposals to redesign the South Street Plaza, a strip of parking and pedestrian walkways positioned between Northwestern Avenue and Chauncey Street in the Chauncey Village area.

According to the city's request for proposals released on Wednesday, the vision for the strip of pavement began in 2021 with the renovations to Chauncey Street, when the popular street was reconstructed as a a drivable plaza that can be temporarily closed off for use in special events.

The city budgeted $350,000 for the project to make the South Street Plaza a pedestrian-only area, as it currently hosts several angled parking spaces along a dead end one-way seated in front of several stores including MAJÉ Sushi, AM/PM General Store and Vienna Espresso Bar and Bakery.

"As the area continues to develop, the South Street Plaza will gain a central role as an area for residents to shop, relax, and celebrate the history of the Louis H. Sullivan Jewel Box Bank Building," the proposal request explains. "The South Street Plaza will function as the 'public face' for one of the busiest shopping districts within West Lafayette."

Chris Gmyrek, project manager for West Lafayette, said ideally the plaza would offer more seating and landscaping, but beyond knowing this will be a pedestrian-only area, what it will look like is still in the very early planning stages.

"We want to have a nice pedestrian area where people can enjoy the city outside of campus," Gmyrek said. "We think it's an ideal spot for everyone to come together, and we want to see what these contactors and consultants have in mind for us."

The deadline for proposal submissions is June 12, with notification of the project award to be announced on July 17.

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached by email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette calls for proposals to redesign South Street Plaza