Fletcher Hall Renovations

[USL1970]

Certainly in the top 5 of ugliest buildings ever at UL!!!!! Like you are driving through campus and you think you are at a school in another state!!!

I agree 100%; however, when the administration tried to modify the building to blend in better, there was an uproar among students, faculty and the community to keep the building's exterior close to the original look and style.

The current and former students who had class in this building referred to themselves proudly as the "Fletcher Rats," probably because of the deteriorated condition in which they had to have class.

And as I understand it, the current maintenance project will fix the outside, but will do nothing to the inside, so there will need to be another fund raising initiative.

And yes, it was designed by a well know architecture firm. Ha!!!!

[CajunRebel]

Maybe we should light it on fire before they spend all that money putting lipstick on a pig.

[LaCajunsFan]

This is, most definitely the UGLIEST building on the campus. It's like the step child of the otherwise similar family members. However, we must remember that not everything is perfect. This will be a reminder.

To each his own. I happen to be part of that rather large group of people who like the building, and think it is one of the few (and, sadly, getting to be fewer) buildings on campus with just a sliver of character. Certainly not perfect, but a really neat building, and a perfect place for the architecture program.
And as far as the first versions of the reno......well, better that I just not go there.

[USLJim]

Why does this company, who is always late on finishing our projects, keep getting the chance to bid our jobs. Isn't theire a law or something to prevent construction companies from bidding if their track record is so bad.

GEAUX CAJUNS

[HelmutVII]

Why does this company, who is always late on finishing our projects, keep getting the chance to bid our jobs. Isn't theire a law or something to prevent construction companies from bidding if their track record is so bad.

GEAUX CAJUNS

I had a meeting with an Architect Client this afternoon and told him that they were going to get started soon on the renovation. I told him who the contractor was and he said "I guess they will be finished in about three years".

[CajunRed]

I am sure that there are others with more knowledge on this subject than me...but as I remember the law from prior experience with a local governmental body, it is almost impossible to disqualify a firm from bidding and winning bids for work. The law should be changed. As it is, it is costing a ton of money when bids have to be granted to firms like this...and others.

[MelRock]

I am sure that there are others with more knowledge on this subject than me...but as I remember the law from prior experience with a local governmental body, it is almost impossible to disqualify a firm from bidding and winning bids for work. The law should be changed. As it is, it is costing a ton of money when bids have to be granted to firms like this...and others.

Either that or there need to be stiff penalties for failure to deliver on time and banned for 3 to 5 years on bidding on future projects.

[Boomer]

many times there are points written into the specs that save their ___!!!! When I would bid on the UL yearbook there was a clause that prevented us from responsibility for non-delivery of the books on time if there were a natural disaster say like a tornado at our Topeka plant---However that can only go so far!!!! Having a labor problem based upon demasiado alcohol consumption on Cinco de Mayo shouldn't be a valid escape factor!!! lol

[HelmutVII]

I am sure that there are others with more knowledge on this subject than me...but as I remember the law from prior experience with a local governmental body, it is almost impossible to disqualify a firm from bidding and winning bids for work. The law should be changed. As it is, it is costing a ton of money when bids have to be granted to firms like this...and others.

It is difficult to keep a contractor off of a bid list if they are properly licensed, bonded and insured. Bonds and insurance needs to be backed by an underwriter that is on an approved list.

There are clauses in a contract that will stipulate contract time and what can or cannot be a valid cause to request an extension of that time. Should the contractor go beyond the contract time there is a stipulated per day cash penalty (Liquidated damages) that varies depending on the the size of the original contract. Typically public work is on a calendar day contract basis.

[LaCajunsFan]

I am confused: are they finally going to enclose the courtyard, or is going to remain open to the elements?