Construction crews will be out in force for the next couple of years at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Renovation and expansion of the Student Union is about halfway complete, while several other projects have just gotten under way or are about to be launched. They include:
- Quadrangle improvements;
- the addition of a six-story parking deck;
- demolition of two closed dorms;
- renovation of Fletcher Hall;
- Burke-Hawthorne Hall remodeling;
- Angelle Hall improvements; and
- designated bike lanes for a section of East St. Mary Boulevard, which crosses campus.
Many of the projects are part of the University’s Master Plan, which will guide the development of campus over the next 10 to 20 years.
“This much construction at once will undoubtedly cause some inconvenience. We appreciate everyone’s patience while we make significant changes,” said Bill Crist, director of Facilities Management.
Student Union
The renovation and expansion of the Student Union is on schedule; the project is expected to be complete by the end of 2014.
The $36 million project includes the renovation of University Bookstore, ballroom and Bayou Bijou theater, and the addition of about 30,000 square feet of space. It will feature restaurants, administrative offices and the University post office.
“We’re creating the equivalent of a town square that’s designed to serve the campus community, giving special attention to the needs of our students,” said Crist.
The energy-efficient design is expected to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The project is funded primarily by self-assessed student fees. In Spring 2003, students approved a $55 per semester fee dedicated to the Union. They approved an additional $20 per semester fee for the Union in 2005. To date, the University has collected about $19 million in student fees. An additional $23 million in bonds will be used for the project.
After the Student Union work is complete, three buildings will be demolished: Vermilion Hall, formerly known as Olivier Hall; Lafayette Hall, formerly called Coronna Hall; and Guillory Hall. Removal of those buildings will provide green space and enhance views of the Student Union from Hebrard Boulevard.
Quadrangle
The Quadrangle is getting a student-designed makeover, which will feature a central plaza and fountain, as well as walkways and landscaping. Four live oaks and several magnolia trees will be planted there. A new, improved drainage system also will be installed.
“There are two oak trees within the space. We’ll take the necessary steps to preserve those trees,” Crist said.
UL Lafayette’s Student Government Association spearheaded the Quad’s redesign in 2010. Senior architecture students developed the design for the University’s Community Design Workshop, which enables students to work on real-life projects.
The Quadrangle redesign is the first major Master Plan project to be paid for with self-assessed student fees. Students voted last year to support implementation of the University’s Master Plan.
Walk of Honor
A section of the University’s Walk of Honor, a path composed of terracotta pavers engraved with the names of alumni, crosses the Quad. The pavers will be replaced with bricks engraved with alums names.
The Walk of Honor will eventually be extended beyond the Quad. It will run parallel to Boucher Street, near the Rose Garden and the Student Union.
New Parking Deck
A new parking deck is under construction near Fletcher, Rougeou and Oliver halls. The six-story structure will accommodate 1,150 vehicles.
Demolition
The University will raze two closed dormitories, Stokes A and Stokes B, as well as an adjacent mechanical building and washeteria.
Fletcher Hall
Fletcher Hall is undergoing a $3.8 million renovation that will stop leaks that have caused extensive water damage. First-floor exterior walls will be repaired, cleaned, weatherproofed and coated to complement new metal panels to be installed on the second floor.
About 20,000 square feet of educational space will be added to the second floor. A sprinkler and fire-alarm system will also be added.
The renovation is expected to begin in December and be complete by the end of next year.
Crist said classes will continue to be held in the building during the renovation. “Obviously, that’s going to present some challenges, but the end result will be a much-improved facility that will serve students in the years to come,” he added.
The three-story building houses the School of Architecture and Design and the Department of Visual Arts and the College of the Arts’ Media Center.
Burke-Hawthorne Hall
Meanwhile, improvements continue at Burke-Hawthorne Hall. When the building was expanded and remodeled in 2009, it almost doubled in size. The current work is a continuation of the state-funded project. It includes the addition of wrought-iron fencing around a courtyard and improvements to the backstage area in Burke-Hawthorne Theater.
The building houses the Department of Communication, the Department of Communicative Disorders, facilities for the Department of Performing Arts, and KRVS 88.7 FM. These improvements will cost about $1 million.
Angelle Hall
Work is also continuing at Angelle Hall, which is home to the University’s School of Music and Performing Arts.
Crews replaced sidewalks at the building’s entrance this fall. Workers are re-roofing and waterproofing the building, a process which could take about a year.
Bike Lanes, Storage
Beginning in December, dedicated bicycle lanes will be created on the section of St. Mary Boulevard that crosses campus.
Re-striping is set to begin after the fall semester ends and is expected to be complete for the Spring 2014 semester.
Vehicle traffic will occupy two of four lanes on St. Mary Boulevard from St. Landry to Taft streets. Bikes will occupy the two lanes closest to the sidewalks. The bike lanes will be 6-feet wide, with a 3-foot buffer separating the bicycle lanes from the vehicle lanes.
A Lafayette Consolidated Government plan to lengthen the University Common bike path will provide a direct connection between the main campus and University Common.
The existing two-mile path along Cajundome Boulevard, which has been in place since the fall of 2011, connects Eraste Landry Road and Johnston Street.
As part of the extension project, the path will be extended from where it ends on Johnston Street, near the Ira Nelson Horticulture Center, all the way to East Lewis Street.
The new section will encompass a route via St. Michael and St. Julien streets. The extended path will travel through Youth Park and cross St. John Coulee.
Cyclists also will have new places to secure their bikes. The University will add bike racks, bike shelters and lockers to the campus. Seven uncovered bicycle parking areas with bike racks also will be added.
These improvements are expected to be in place by the Spring 2014 semester. Longer-range plans include bike stations to provide facilities for minor repairs and maintenance.
Athletics Facilities
During halftime at the Homecoming game in November, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the expansion of Cajun Field. About 5,000 seats will be added in the south end zone.
Also on tap are soccer and track facility improvements, a new Athletics Practice Facility, and renovation and expansion of M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field.