Student Union Construction.

[awadelewis]

We put them into the athletic, high academic luxury housing, problem solved. Two valued assets for the price of one.

This is how Auburn just got around the NCAA's restriction on athletic dorms. I suspect you'll find something similar at most of the other schools in the BCS conferences.

[Boomer]

I forgot I think to add the Ragin' Jazz, cheerleaders, Louisiana flag wavers, etc!!!

[Ragin' Realtor]

I have check the assessors records and I estimate the total acreage owned or controlled by "Lourdes" is about 18.11 acres. This includes the property that the old hospital is on and the large vacant areas heading to St. Julien. The 18.11 acres includes the satellite parking garage on St. Patrick Street. Lourdes DOES NOT OWN any property fronting St. Mary Street. Once the hospital is demolished the only thing standing (to my understanding) on the Lourdes property will be the two parking towers.

18.11 acres is 788,871 square feet. Placing a square foot value on the raw land is not what I do so I don't know. Maybe a real estate pro on this board can take a guess. I would GUESS that the value of the two parking towers would be between 3.5 to 4.0 million. 788,871 square feet at $x.xx per square foot plus 3.5 or 4.0 million would be the value of the property. The only question would be what is the property "worth" to a potential buyer and if the owner is willing to sell at that price.

I don't have the time right now but I will draw up a map and post it later.

See below for a break down of the property lines for the entire Lourdes Park. The properties on Saint Mary are owned by the Diocese. The portion where the Hospital is and the land on Saint Julien is owned by the Hospital. There is another portion in the middle that is owned by the Holy Sacrament Convent. I've asked around and there isn't a lot of information I could gather from people who are in the know, other than the University isn't the only potential buyer that is seriously interested in the property. It's a developers dream. 15 + acres of usable acreage in the center of the city, close to a University with 17000+ students just doesn't come available very often, if ever. This is a once in a life time opportunity. And once the main hospital buildings come down, it's much easier to market, as it can be subdivided up, not to mention raw land is a lot cheaper to maintain than a run down vacant hospital.

Like I said, I hope the acquisition of this property priority #1 on UL's list right now. I would put it ahead to the football stadium renovation, as that property is the corridor that can connect the UL main campus to their property at Blackham.

[HelmutVII]

I have drawn a map on an aerial photo showing who owns what. I need to convert from AutoCAD to an image file. I will be able to do that tomorrow.


Meanwhile back to the Student Union.

The food service wing is getting its skin. As seen from the step of Buchanan Hall



The food service wing as seen from the Harris Hall fire escape.



The main portion of the building as seen from the top of Olivier Parking Tower.




The recently placed last piece of steel. (the one with "Student Union" written on it)



A view from the rear of Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel



A view of the food service wing as seen from Guillory Hall balcony.

[HelmutVII]

This is a map of who owns what around the old Lourdes Hospital site. The have started to demolish the hospital within the last two weeks. The only building left on the Lourdes site will be the parking garage near St. Mary. That building sets on property owned by Lourdes and the Diocese of Lafayette. There are two large office buildings, one large parking garage, one building that is the remains of the old orphanage, the building used for imaging and a smaller building between the two parking garages. If the University is interested in this property we are talking about some serious money and that's only if the Diocese is willing to sell. The tract identified as "Affiliated Blind" used to be a Monastery and was repurposed. I'm thinking it is still controlled by the Diocese in some way. the satellite parking garage is adjacent to what was the Day Care facility the Lourdes had for the employees.

Like I said the property configuration is convoluted and as a result it is not as straight forward as you may think.

[SlappyCajun]

Bottom line is that as several poster recently pointed out the property will likely be in high demand. The university, unlike a traditional developer, has to adhere to a lot more formalities. If the school is going to grow, obtaining the land is a priority.

The one thing we haven't talked about would be a public/private partnership between a developer and the University. Perhaps a developer may purchase the land and lease it back to the university.

[cajun67]

Wonder what the real value is for a developer - unless connected to the university. Not real close to downtown. No major streets. Great for residential but heavy price to pay for a few homes. Apartments maybe as it's close to school. I like the idea of a combo university/developer/bonds similar to dorms and student center (I know dorms were bonded) that would allow for development of university as a whole. Lourdes/diocese area is vital to our growth overall. Maybe the most critical since purchase of land on Dupre ide of St. Mary.

[locoguano]

Where is the book store located during construction?

[cajuns80]

It's located at the follets location on st mary

[CajunDreDog]

Where is the book store located during construction?

If you want gear, go here:

Ragin' Cajun Red Zone
1805 Johnston Street
Lafayette, LA. 70503

RedZone Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10am to 6pm
1-800-955-9899
337-482-6930