Facility Services wants to make the University a prettier sight for visitors by incorporating large signs on campus, though funding for the project has not yet been secured.
Jason Soileau, assistant director of planning, design and construction for Facility Services, said the department plans to construct new gateway monuments at several points on campus.
Soileau spoke before the LSU System Board of Supervisors last week. The board approved the plans, allowing Facility Services to begin planning and searching for funding.
He said the three original gateways were built in areas where people used to enter campus, but now visitors are taking alternate routes.
“They’re just not where people are coming in anymore,” he said. “We’re trying to reinforce the brand of LSU, and we want people to know when they get on campus.”
The first two gateway signs will be built at South Stadium and West Lakeshore drives and at Dalrymple and West Lakeshore drives.
The gateways will each consist of two 9-foot stone columns and a 36-foot-long metal sign with the University’s name on it.
Soileau said he didn’t have exact estimates but expected them to each cost about $100,000.
Facility Services will also construct a roundabout at the intersection of Dalrymple Drive and West Lakeshore Drive to alleviate traffic congestion in the area and preserve foliage. The gateway at the intersection will be built in the middle of the roundabout.
The gateway on Nicholson Drive and Burbank Drive will be 93 feet long and 12 feet tall. It will be accompanied by a 12-foot-tall, 22-foot-long video board built on a 9-foot base.
“Due to the expansive nature of the area, it will have to be very large,” he said. “Anything smaller would fade into the background.”
Soileau said the entire project is estimated to cost $400,000 to $500,000.
The final gateway sign will be a large structure in the shape of the letters “LSU” at Nicholson Drive and Nicholson Extension.
Soileau said the logo will be about 41 feet long, 13 feet tall and elevated on an 8-foot base, covered in protective foliage.
“We’ll have adequate parking and pedestrian crossings,” he said. “People will be able to take photos of themselves with it in front of the stadium.”
But they’re contemplating another, flashier option.
Soileau said Facility Services is considering incorporating LED technology into the structure to allow it to light up at night with the University’s colors, photos or videos.
“It’s a bit more playful,” he said. “It would really bring life to it.”
Soileau said he estimates the structure and surrounding site work will cost about $250,000.
He said Facility Services hasn’t found any funding sources yet, but he’s hoping for grants, private donations and partnerships.
“We’re being creative and open to get this done,” he said.
Solieau said Facility Services won’t have anticipated completion dates until funding is secured.
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]