Despite LSU President F. King Alexander’s concerns over the University’s stake in the St. George debate, proposed boundaries of the new city will not change, said St. George spokesperson Lionel Rainey III.
Though the main campus is part of the city of Baton Rouge, University land southwest of campus remains unannexed — not included in Baton Rouge proper.
The land encompasses Innovation Park and the LSU AgCenter’s Ben Hur Farm.
LSU’s Board of Supervisors filed a petition Oct. 8 with the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council supporting the annexation of the unincorporated land into the city of Baton Rouge.
Mayor-President Kip Holden backed the petition, saying the University’s annexed land would receive the same treatment as the existing incorporated land if the Metro Council approved the petition.
The same day, Alexander released a statement saying the University preferred to remain part of Baton Rouge.
“We find no justification to merit having our land divided between two jurisdictions, and have concerns that such division could adversely impact services critical to our students,” Alexander said in the statement.
Rainey said the Board has never petitioned for the University’s unannexed lands to become part of the city of Baton Rouge and is doing so because of St. George’s prospective incorporation.
If the University’s unannexed land becomes part of St. George, Rainey said the University would have the option to take the legislative steps necessary to incorporate into the city of Baton Rouge.
“It makes great sense that LSU would like all its property in the same city,” Rainey said. “There’s no animosity towards LSU whatsoever.”
The Metro Council Zoning Meeting is today at 3:30 p.m.