It is not uncommon to see students with booksacks walking to campus but spotting a professor with a briefcase on Highland Road is rare.
This may change with the construction of new upscale townhomes on Highland specifically geared toward alumni and faculty. But the exclusive location serves a dual purpose. With no outlet to Highland, the layout indicates Baton Rouge is taking necessary steps to prevent increased traffic congestion in the city while still expanding commercial business in the area. Bill Kelley, project manager for Seray Construction LLC, said Highland Hideaway Townhomes are specifically designed to ensure zero traffic impact. Kelley said once the homes open in May 2008, all traffic will empty onto Burbank Drive’s four lane highway. “It will have no impact on Highland because there is no outlet on Highland,” Kelley said. “It is far enough away from the congestion of Nicholson and Burbank but close enough to still be in walking distance to campus for faculty.” Kelley said residents will particularly reap the benefits on football game days. He said it is an easy walk for faculty with pedestrian access to Highland. “It is a quarter of a mile to the stadium from the South Gates of LSU’s campus,” he said. Ari Gatsios, general studies junior, said he does not think the location is a particularly strong selling point for faculty and alumni. “I can’t really see professors wanting to move to campus just for that,” Gatsios said. “And if students are more in need, they should build apartments affordable for students instead.” Nestled behind residential lots at the South Gates of the University, each unit costs $329,900. While the townhomes are not strictly limited to University faculty, Kelley said the price combined with the location is more feasible for this demographic rather than the student population. Mike Haffner, sales manager for Highland Hideaway Townhomes, said students do not normally enter into $300,000 units even if their parents are picking up the bill. He said they purchased the ground because of its location. Haffner also said the townhomes provide an upscale residence within walking distance to campus for faculty. “They can walk to campus instead of drive,” he said. “For health reasons, if you want to walk, it is only a 10 to 15 minute walk. On great days, you’re crazy if you don’t walk.” Susan Saale, academic support coordinator for the Center for Academic Success, drives 45 minutes to campus and said she would not be interested in buying one of the townhomes even if it is in walking distance. Saale, who is also a mathematics instructor, said a townhome does not offer certain features in the immediate vicinity that she looks for. “Where I live, there are five grocery stores to choose from, and I can name half a dozen restaurants in the immediate area,” Saale said. “Also, I have a yard to keep my dog in at my home.” Saale said although she is not looking to buy an expensive townhome, she thinks potential faculty coming into the Baton Rouge area could find the location an attractive selling point. Bill Demastes, English professor, said he agrees that marketers may be targeting new, younger faculty. He said he is not sure who among the University faculty would consider making this purchase. “Why would anyone buy an expensive townhome close to campus for the occasional opportunity of walking,” he said. “For the same price, you can buy a nice home with a yard.” But Michael Dettinger, foreign language lab director, said he takes a 10 minute walk to campus from State Street everyday. “I think it will be easy for faculty to get back and forth if they do purchase them,” he said. “They may be more inclined to walk if they live closer.” Tania Nyman, English instructor, said she is glad to see the area around campus being developed, but the idea does not personally interest her.
Nyman said she, like several faculty members, has a family and a dog, and the idea of buying a townhome for walking purposes does not appeal to her. “I think teachers would walk if they moved there,” Nyman said. “But I would love to see a list of faculty who could afford them. It seems expensive for the Baton Rouge market.”
—Contact Natalie Messina [email protected]