Student Union Construction.

[LaCajunsFan]

Here are some pics recently posted on the UL Facebook page:
#1: Exterior showing the Ballroom to the right.
#2: Interior of Bookstore (note the mezzanine area) following demo
#3: Interior of Ballroom, post demo

[CajunAmos]

I was hoping that the new structure might be two story for the majority of the facility. A balcony/sitting area on the second floor facing the lake would be a nice spot.

[HelmutVII]

The new building will be two stories. The photos you see above are the existing Bookstore and Ball room which will remain as is. (very high ceilings resulting in a single story building. The portion of the building that was demolished was mostly two stories. Kitchen and a small portion of the bookstore wing was single story.

[HelmutVII]

Finishing demolition and starting foundation work for the food wing. As seen from the North fire escape for Harris Hall.



Debris pile getting smaller. Should be finished this week. They may leave the old slab for now to work off of. From the top of Olivier Parking tower. (As a side note. It looks like my fears have been justified. The stairwells in the new parking tower are full of garbage. I don't think they have been cleaned for months.)



Lots of light into the main hall now.




Demolition progress as seen from a planter next to Cypress lake.

[HelmutVII]

They installed some auger cast piles a few weeks ago. They are waiting the require 21 days before they can test the pile to make sure they meet the design loads.

This is a view of the what will be the new food service wing from the back of Mc Lauren Gym. The loading dock for the bookstore is to the left. Guillory Hall is to the rear.



A small pile of demolition debris remains as seen from the top of Olivier Parking Tower.



A view from a planter adjacent to Cypress Lake.



Looks like a rainy week ahed. Don't know how much they can get done. We will see.

[HelmutVII]

Not much dramatic to show in the last two weeks. Here is the latest as of today.

Cleared out area between Guillory Hall and the Book Store ready for construction work. this area will be the new food service wing. As seen from the back of New Corona Hall



Same area as seen from the Harris Hall fire escape.




The front of the Book Store will get a new facade. From the rear of McLauren Gym.




Overall view from the top of Olivier Parking tower.




An example of several graffiti marks in the filthy stair wells of Olivier parking tower.




A view from a planter near Cypress Lake. The forum still survives.

[HelmutVII]

The past few weeks they have been hauling in literally tons of dirt to build the slab and plaza area up to subgrade. So not many photos to take (unless you like to see dirt). This week they have pretty much finished with dirt hauling and are ready to start with foundation work.

This is a view of the new food service wing from the rear of Corona hall. Guillory hall is to the right.




A view from the McKinley street driveway entrance.



As seen from the top of Olivier Parking Tower.



Busting rods in preparation for foundation work. Mats in the background are for heavy foundation equipment.



As seen from a planter next to Cypress Lake. The Forum is no more.



Work continues on Buchanan Hall with a new rear entrance on to the Rose Garden.



A new entrance for Buchanan Hall facing Boucher Street.



Now that they are finished with the dirt hauling there will be more opportunity to show progress on the project. Weekly updates will probably return.

[techdawg88]

Are your new buildings going to have the same design concept or each one be different?

[ULtimateCajun]

Are your new buildings going to have the same design concept or each one be different?

I would imagine they will follow the same concept as the rest of the campus. All of the new dorms and remodels on campus have the red brick exterior.

[Boomer]

Same color brick and style---In fact getting rid of the non themed ones!!! All are happy with this--Our pres has done more in 3 years then the old dude did in 30 years---And wait till the Athletic and academic campi are joined --We will have a huge land mass of a campus!!!

[techdawg88]

I would imagine they will follow the same concept as the rest of the campus. All of the new dorms and remodels on campus have the red brick exterior.

I've always liked red bricks on buildings

[Boomer]

But our bricks are the beautiful old brick and not the tacky too much red bricks that are used at a certain North Louisiana school!!! lol