Student Union Construction.

[LaCajunsFan]

I went by the campus today, and got a good status/view of the various construction sites. Overall, not any dramatic changes since Helment's last post, so I didn't take many pics. However, I did get a kick out of staking out all of Helment's spots (Harris fire escape stairs, etc.), lol.

A few observations:
1. The Quad: work continues, but not very 'scenic'.....just looks like the new drainage systems have been laid and buried. Since the sun was setting, pics were impossible anyway....
2. The Lewis St garage, & Fletcher: nothing started yet, as I think they are waiting until after the semester to get started in earnest on those...??
3. St. Mary re-striping: There are posters along St Mary announcing the re-striping for the bike lanes, to begin in December, but nothing done yet. Again, they must be waiting until after the semester is over to begin. BTW, the pics show the two car lanes on the inside, with the bike lanes on the outside.
4. The Union:
A. I was kind of curious about the distance between the food wing and the swamp: seemed kind of narrow in the renderings. But from my view while standing on the Guillory balcony I have to admit it looks ok in 'reality.' Again, I just hope they keep (or rebuild) the 'overlook' balcony area that juts out over the swamp.
B. Work is really progressing, especially on the center part, but still a lot of scaffolding around everything, so it's really hard to get a good view of things. Much of the roofing of the new center part is done, giving a good 'feel' of what it will be like when completed.
C. But I was most impressed with the progress of the courtyard area. I stood on the planter closest to the
Ballroom wing, so I got a good view of everything. I have to admit: I really think that courtyard area is going to be VERY nice indeed! My heart actually skipped a beat when I envisioned the finished project, ;-)

Anyway, sorry for the long post, but had a boring day otherwise, so really enjoyed my little outing. Below are some (not so great) pics that I took while looking at the courtyard.....
(The last pic shows the addition from the ballroom towards the courtyard.)

[CajunJack55]

Appreciate the post! Keep them coming!

[LaCajunsFan]

Found this on the "Lafayette Memories" Facebook page. Per that post, this is UL, circa 1939. I also added it to the 1939-40 thread, but thought I'd share it here as well.

[Boomer]

I wonder what a present day photo from the air would look like!!! Buy all the property close to campus as you can I guess this is the moral of this photo!!!!1 Tulane should have bought all of that Claiborne Ave area after the hurricane!!!!

[ulXrunner]

Thanks for the pictures. I went jogging on campus this morning and seen much of the these pics in person. Lots of construction on campus. Is there any plans to facelift the circle off of University. And why does it have brick that is not our normal red brick?

[CajunRebel]

Thanks for the pictures. I went jogging on campus this morning and seen much of the these pics in person. Lots of construction on campus. Is there any plans to facelift the circle off of University. And why does it have brick that is not our normal red brick?

From what I understand that yellow brick color matched the original Martin Hall which was replaced by the current one a long time ago. I'd love to see them replace both of those yellow brick gates but I suppose they have historical value since they didn't replace them after they installed the more recent gates around campus.

[LaCajunsFan]

Thanks for the pictures. I went jogging on campus this morning and seen much of the these pics in person. Lots of construction on campus. Is there any plans to facelift the circle off of University. And why does it have brick that is not our normal red brick?

Thanks for the thanks, lol.
Also, I have often wondered the same thing: as the main "portal" into the university, I totally agree that it needs to be renovated. I am sure they would want to respect the original donors, but I think that they can still accomplish a thoughtful update.......if nothing else, re-cap everything in the appropriate red bricks, update the fountain....and maybe incorporate some arches????
And while we are at it, I hope they include the same type of structures at all of the entry points (Johnston at Lewis, etc.)

[HelmutVII]

The entry to the Circle has brick that matched the original Martin Hall. I don't think they will be changing that any time soon given the historical significance of the entry.

I just finished a foundation design for a long circular wall that will be near the flag pole. It will be about 80 feet long and will be concentric with the circular drive. It will be decorative on the side that faces Martin Hall and will have University of Louisiana with at Lafayette in small letters on it. It will be high enough to block the parking lot in front of Martin Hall so that if you want to take a photograph of people in front (the side facing the inside of the circle) of the wall they will have Martin Hall in the background with the parking lot blocked by the wall. There will be an alternate bid that will include flag poles on one side and another lower decorative wall on the other.

I just finished a survey of the area between Moody Hall and the Presidents home starting at the Martin Hall Parking lot and extending across Hebrard Blvd down Boucher to McKinley. This will be for the next phase of the walk of honor. It was mentioned on page 10 and 11 of the latest issue of LaLouisiane. They won't start on that until the Student Union is finished.

It is my understanding that they will place the new statue of Dr. Stephens in the new plaza area around Girard hall at the University/Johnston intersection. I don't know that for sure though.

[Hammer58]

Hope the statue of Dr. Stephens fares better than the statue of Emil Faber.

[LuLu]

From what I understand that yellow brick color matched the original Martin Hall which was replaced by the current one a long time ago. I'd love to see them replace both of those yellow brick gates but I suppose they have historical value since they didn't replace them after they installed the more recent gates around campus.

Martin Hall was red brick. I was there. Red Brick, like Girard Hall and Foster. Matched.

[Boomer]

Martin Hall was red brick. I was there. Red Brick, like Girard Hall and Foster. Matched.

---I need proof that the bricks of the "OLD" Martin Hall were red---I started in '63 and they I think were just tearing it down but seems that I remember yellowish!!!

[basinbear]

---I need proof that the bricks of the "OLD" Martin Hall were red---I started in '63 and they I think were just tearing it down but seems that I remember yellowish!!!

1863??????