Bangert: West Lafayette worst town in Big Ten? OK, got it

We could get all defensive about the latest survey that ranked West Lafayette dead last among 14 college towns with Big Ten Conference schools.

The for-what-it's-worth factor might be enough of a shield for the local ego against the shot from 10 ESPN, Big Ten Network and regional sports media analysts in a posting last week at Athlon.com. Consider the source when 10 guys in a profession that has fine-tuned the art of tearing through a free halftime buffet start comparing the particular merits of what's on your town's main streets.

Even so, it's not easy contemplating last place, especially when the pundits rub salt in the click-bait wounds: "There isn't a whole lot to do, both indoors or out. … If you like brick and Greek parties, then this is your place. Otherwise, continue down I-65 to Indy or Chi-town."

Sounds like reason enough to grab Gerry DiNardo, former Indiana University football coach and current Big Ten Network talking head, next time he's at Purdue and show him around town.

But here's the thing: What the BTN/ESPN guys said, it's nothing we haven't heard before.

It's nothing we haven't said ourselves.

That's probably why West Lafayette didn't see some sort of Bat Signal go out over the Village area bar district during last weekend's Grand Prix festivities as sign of distress from Mayor (and noted Batman freak) John Dennis.

As Dennis will tell you, Greater Lafayette has been saying the same things — often worse — about its own college community curb appeal for several years now during Community of Choice studies that point out the highs and lows here versus in comparable cities.

And, as Dennis will also tell you, a fix is on the way.

Which gets us to the point: Come on, State Street Project. Don't fail us now.

West Lafayette and Purdue are banking heavily on an estimated $60 million to $85 million project that will retool State Street, from the Wabash River through campus and on to the new U.S. 231 bypass.

The idea is to make State Street more accommodating for pedestrians and cyclists, while clearing the way for a more business-friendly setting.

More specifically, the idea is to use State Street as a centerpiece to erase complaints about a tired-looking gateway to Purdue from critics with a more nuanced and personal stake in West Lafayette's college town rankings. Those are students talking, not random sportscasters.

Last week, Purdue announced plans to create and market a 980-acre aerospace technology park tied to the Purdue Airport. That holds huge promise and potential for a university with its own hangars and runways. But tucked into that plan is Purdue's way of making good on a 50/50 split with West Lafayette on the cost of the State Street Project. New tax revenue from new commercial development near the airport will feed a tax increment financing district, with initial proceeds aimed at State Street.

Purdue's trustees in the past few years have bought into the idea that the complete college experience includes not only what a campus is, but also what a surrounding community feels like. Purdue President Mitch Daniels calls it an expensive bet in the long-term health of the university. He also calls it one worth making.

"Keep your eyes open out there," Daniels said last week.

There are no guarantees, of course.

I haven't been to every Big Ten town. The ones I have seen can be pretty sweet. Madison, Wis., hello. That No. 1 ranking on the ESPN/BTN survey was dead on.

The Big Ten is filled with so many great cities: Minneapolis. Columbus. Ann Arbor. And (stifle your boos), Bloomington.

"Bloomington has a time-capsule feel," Braden Gall wrote in the Athlon piece. "The bar scene is great and the food is solid in this prototypical college atmosphere."

West Lafayette has the haunts that make a college town a college town. I mean, at least Brett Musburger will give a shout out about going to Harry's Chocolate Shop or Bruno's when he's in town doing play-by-play on national TV.

But when we get schooled by Lincoln, Neb., (ranked 10th) we know our place — at least in outward appearances. (No offense, Lincoln. Nicest football fans in the business, based on personal experience, and a great gameday location, for sure.)

Will the State Street Project — and to an equal extent, the "parklets" for curbside businesses and other streetscape work being poured into downtown Lafayette — be enough to change mind of the Gerry DiNardos out there about first impressions around the Purdue campus?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Is it going to be enough to entice students to walk down the State Street hill and expand their concept of the campus community?

Again: Maybe. Maybe not.

West Lafayette and Purdue seem ready to find out.

Until then, in this college town ranking business, tell us something we don't already know.

Bangert is a columnist with the Journal & Courier. Contact him at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.