The summer festival events with an emphasis on the arts (Round the Fountain Art Fair, Art on the Wabash, and the TASTE of Tippecanoe) are the premiere downtown festivals. Regarding the TASTE, a conscious effort has been made to book exciting and diverse entertainment with a specific focus on local performers. TAF is looking to bring greater attention to this event's focus on the regional/community arts and the cultural sector.
Tens of thousands of visitors from outside of Tippecanoe County come to the Cultural District to experience these events. Round the Fountain's over four decade record of delivery attracts an international roster of talent. All three festivals contribute greatly to the robust economy that Tippecanoe County enjoys.
The Tippecanoe Arts and Cultural District is a center point of activity for the county. Much investment has gone into the area over the years and its reputation as a destination continues to grow. Restaurants are continuing to open in the Cultural District and private and public partnerships have resulted in high rise developments expanding the concentration of West Lafayette's residential housing.
The variation of the businesses, particularly in the restaurant and service sector, represents the greatest swath of diversity in the community. These businesses continue to thrive through this investment and the enhanced reputation of the Cultural District.
The Tippecanoe Arts and Cultural District's geographic footprint is at the heart of development for both cities and the county. Ground was broken for a mixed-use high-rise at the intersection of 2nd and Columbia in Lafayette. This property, known as the John Purdue Block, serves as the gateway to the bridge and connector to the City of West Lafayette. The estimated investment in this project is $50 million. Additionally, the City of Lafayette completed Phase V of the Main Street Streetscape, renovated City Hall, and established the first local DORA.
Across the Wabash River in West Lafayette, two major projects broke ground in 2024. The first project included the demolition of Chauncey Hill Mall, setting the scene for an investment from Landmark developers in a 13-story multi-use building referred to as The Standard at West Lafayette. The second project, the Levee Landmark Project, will construct two high-rise apartments, called the Rambler Apartments, which will include retail space at the ground level and parking garages. Both of these projects represent multi-million dollar investments from the private sector.
