The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s plans to build a 1,150-space parking tower and make facility improvements at its Athletic Complex were approved today by the Louisiana State Bond Commission.
That action paves the way for work to begin this fall. The projects were approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget on Sept. 13, and had previously been approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents, and Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System.
“We’re starting to put together contracts. I expect parking tower construction to begin Nov. 1. Football stadium seat prep work will start in November. Construction will likely begin in early 2014,” said Bill Crist, the University’s facilities director.
The parking garage will be built on East Lewis Street, between Fletcher and Rougeou halls. The parking tower will hold approximately 700 spaces requiring permits and the other 400 will be for hourly parking. Plans also call for construction of a smaller building in front of the garage, facing the street.
Additional seats at Cajun Field will be installed behind the south end zone. Plans also include construction of an Athletics Performance Center and offices, and upgrades to the soccer and track facility.
The deadline is August 2014 for completion of the parking tower and stadium seating, Crist said. “The goal is to have them both done before the start of the Fall 2014 semester and next football season,” he said.
These projects are part of the University and Athletic Master Plans, which will guide campus development and growth for the next several years. The plans include provisions for campus structures, roads, spaces, signage and perimeter developments.
The parking tower and stadium projects will be financed through the private, non-profit Ragin’ Cajun Facilities Inc.
Ambling Development has been selected as the contractor for the parking tower, Crist said. The Lemoine Co. is the contractor for the Athletic Complex improvements.
The projects, which will be completed using no state monies, will be funded through several sources, including the sale of bonds, self-assessed student fees and auxiliary revenue.
“Auxiliary revenue comes from things like the sale of athletic tickets, food services fees, housing fees, commercial ventures and parking fees,” Crist said.