UL Lafayette begins construction on student housing

Construction has begun on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s largest-ever student housing project. Financing was approved last month and bonds have been issued to build the $100 million project. Atlanta-based Carter has been hired as project manager. The multi-phased project consists of renovation, design, construction and expansion of the University’s existing student housing inventory in the Rose Garden and Taft/Tulane communities. The facility is designed to provide 2,000 new beds and approximately 1,000 spaces of structured parking. All phases are scheduled to be completed by August 2012. Currently, UL Lafayette only has the ability to house 11% of the student body, as opposed to peer institutions, which typically house 20% or more of their respective student body. Together, the new Rose Garden and Taft/Tulane communities will create individual neighborhoods on campus for freshmen and sophomore students, with close proximity to classes, dining facilities, the new student union and other campus services and amenities. The new projects will address both current waiting lists as well as recruitment and retention objectives for the University.