As new apartment construction pops up all over Baton Rouge, the LSU Property Foundation is soliciting plans from five different development teams to enter into a partnership to design, build and finance amenities on a 28-acre site on Nicholson Drive between West Chimes Street and Skip Bertman Drive.
The Nicholson Gateway Project plans to improve housing offerings, attract and retain residents and accommodate the growing population, according to an LSU Media Relations the news release.
The five development teams submitting proposals are American Campus Communities, Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, Capstone Development Partners, Corvias Campus Living and Rise Real Estate. Once the proposals are received and evaluated, the project’s committee will choose one company to carry out the project.
“The Nicholson Gateway Development Project will turn what has traditionally been the back of the LSU campus into an exciting new gateway district,” said Sara Crow, senior director of communications and donor relations for the LSU Foundation. “It will transform the largest underdeveloped tract of university-owned property that is adjacent to the campus core.”
The Nicholson Gateway Project is projected to include 1,260 apartment-style beds and 410 suite-style beds. Other spaces include lounge and study rooms and public gathering places.
The project will incorporate plans for retail space, extra campus parking and the LSU Foundation Center for Philanthropy.
Chair of the Nicholson Gateway Development Project Committee Rob Stuart said in the release that he was impressed with the quality of the responses to the request for qualifications, or RFQ, issued in July.
“The Nicholson Gateway Project will revitalize the Nicholson Corridor while substantially enhancing the student experience at LSU,” Stuart said in the release.
Sophomore psychology major Madeleine Vines said she is excited to have more options to live on campus.
“[The Nicholson Gateway Project] looks like an amazing addition to our campus that will allow students more opportunities and options to live on campus,” Vines said.
The Nicholson Gateway Project will start construction in 2016.