Last week, the University and master planning firm NBBJ presented a draft of their 10-year Comprehensive and Strategic Campus Master Plan. One of the notable features of the plan is the eventual demolition and replacement of Middleton Library in the Quad, which has been met with positive sentiments by students.
The library, constructed between 1956 and 1958 and opened in September 1958, has been a mainstay on campus for more than 50 years. Troy H. Middleton, after whom the library is named, was a driving force behind the construction of the facility. Middleton, a highly decorated officer in the U.S. Army, became almost synonymous with the University during his time in the University administration.
During his tenure in the military, Middleton won acclaim for his actions in the Second Battle of the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. After a brief tenure with LSU ROTC, Middleton returned to military service during World War II and went on to accomplish many feats. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for capturing the city of Brest, France. His greatest military achievement would come during the Battle of the Bulge, during which then-Maj. Gen. Middleton made the decision to hold the city of Bastogne, Belgium. This decision would see the German offensive break and the battle turn for the Allies.
As Commandant of Cadets with the University ROTC chapter, Middleton saw the program expand from about 500 cadets to over 1700 by the end of his tenure in 1936. After World War II, Middleton went on to return to the University as comptroller and was later elected president of the University.
Student reactions to the planned reconstruction have ranged from lukewarm to positive. Business major Charlie Phayer was supportive of the plan, praising it for saving money in deferred maintenance.
“It’s a good idea in the long run,” Phayer said.
Assistant Vice President of Planning, Construction and Design Roger Husser said the demolition plan has been met positively across the board — save for one caveat, which was the question of why the University is worried about spending money on demolishing and replacing the library when the University is currently facing issues with funding.
“We’re not thinking about demolishing and replacing Middleton in the near future,” Husser said. “This is simply a long-term Master Plan and aspiration to work toward.”
The focus in the short term for Middleton is to improve the first-floor facilities, to make it more modern and attractive to students, Husser said.
There has not been a time table set for the demolition while the Master Plan continues refinement. Details of the plan can be found at http://www.masterplanlsu.com.