In the midst of continuous budget cuts to higher education, the University is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth in terms of construction, according to Roger Husser, director of Planning, Design and Construction for Facility Services.
The various projects around campus are either privately funded or funded by self-generated revenue, grants or appropriations designated specifically for capital outlay projects, said Ken Courtade, manager of the Office of Campus Planning.
“The state appropriates funding for specific projects on a project-by-project basis,” Husser said. “Depending on how they prioritize things, sometimes we’ll get these large projects even though we’re in budget crises.”
Husser said the Tiger Stadium renovation and expansion, overseen by the Tiger Athletic Foundation, is the most expensive project the University has ever seen.
The Tiger Stadium South Expansion will cost roughly $70 million, funded by a $100 million bond that TAF has taken for the stadium construction. This bond will also assist with the construction of a new tennis facility and a new gymnastics facility, according to Senior Associate Athletic Director Eddie Nunez.
The UREC Expansion and Redesign will be the second-most expensive, followed by the construction of a new residential hall in the Hart Lot, Husser said.
The $65 million residential hall project includes the construction of two residential halls, only one of which will be built in the upcoming Hart Lot project, Husser said.
Husser said construction on a second residential hall is still a few years away.
Recently completed projects at the University include the Business Education Complex and Choppin Hall Annex, both funded by the state, along with Barnes & Noble at LSU and the parking garage.
Current construction on campus includes the Tiger Stadium renovation and expansion; the $20 million Animal and Food Science Lab building, funded by the state; the $15.5 million renovation of Annie Boyd Hall, funded by revenue bonds; and the Louisiana Digital Media Center.
The Louisiana Digital Media Center is approximately a $24 million project funded primarily by the state, including $3 million from a federal grant from the Economic Development Administration, said Arthur Cooper, executive director of the Louisiana Emerging Technologies Center.
The 97,000 square-foot facility, located next to the LETC on Stadium Drive and East Parker Boulevard, will house the University’s Center for Computing and Technology (CCT) on the first and second floors and EA Sports on the third floor. The first floor will include a coffee shop, a digital media auditorium, classrooms and conference rooms.
Cooper said the purpose of the facility is to stimulate interaction between students and EA Sports. It is scheduled to be completed by March 15.
Upcoming construction projects for spring 2013 include the start of the $84.75 million UREC Expansion and Redesign, the Faculty Club Hotel renovation, additional Kirby Smith Hall renovations and phase two of the office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation’s Easy Streets project, which will aim to make campus more pedestrian and bike friendly.
The construction of the new residential hall in the Hart Lot is expected to begin in June and will take two years to complete.
Projects still in the planning and design phase include the $6.2 million River Modeling Facility, the $15 million renovation of the engineering shops and the $5.6 million French House renovations.
Husser said these projects have received state funding for planning and design, but are awaiting state funding for construction.
“Depending on how they prioritize things, sometimes we’ll get these large projects even though we’re in budget crises.”
