The beginnings of another renovation project on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus could get under way in early February.
UL Lafayette and state administrators are expecting to open bids for the renovation and expansion of Burke-Hawthorne Hall on Feb. 6.
The construction budget for the project is more than $9 million. It calls for a complete code upgrade of the existing building including new exit stairs, finishes and utilities.
Burke-Hawthorne Hall houses the departments of Communication, Communicative Disorders, a performing arts theater and radio station KRVS.
According to UL Lafayette’s Physical Plant Director Bill Crist, a 33,000 square foot addition will be constructed for all departments housed in the building.
“ This addition will house new studios for KRVS and expanded classroom, office and lab space for the Communicative Disorders and the Communication departments,” he explained.
The theater will be completely refurbished with improved sight lines for viewing and a large prop construction room behind the stage.
Funding for the project was first requested in 1982.
Other construction projects under way at UL Lafayette include a 400-space parking garage along Taft Street. Crist said most of the ground-level concrete has been poured and the formwork for the upper floors has begun. He noted the project was delayed 30 days because of wet weather.
In 2002, students voted to pay an extra $25 per fall and spring semester to generate $4.98 million for the parking garage.
The new home for the departments of Computer Science and Advanced Computer Studies is complete. It is located where McNapsy Stadium once stood. “Furniture is being installed and we are moving the office occupants from the Conference Center into this new facility,” said Crist. He expects all offices to be moved into the building by the end of January.
The $7.5 million structure has 15,000 square feet for classrooms, auditoriums and conference rooms on each floor.
Work on the new indoor practice facility near the Athletic Complex has progressed. Crist said despite weather delays, the steel structure is in place. The contractor is expected to paint the structure with a fireproof coating when the weather clears.
“ That work should take two weeks and then the contractor will start to install roof and wall panels. I expect the contractor to finish the project by late April,” he said.
The $4.3 million dollar facility will enable Ragin' Cajun teams to complete practices during inclement weather.
All of these projects are part of a construction boom that started a decade ago at UL Lafayette. Since that time, Moody Hall has been erected for the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration as well as Legacy Park apartments for students and the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum.