LSU Campus Construction Update (Updated Article on Dalrymple Roundabout 8-5)

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There will be improvements on the north side and on Stadium Drive that are paid for by donors from 5 fundraisers they have for the Tiger Athletic Foundation. They have raised close to $18 million this year. The donor gets nothing in return, no benefits, no tickets or parking. This is different from money that comes from athletic contests. Names on the walls represent people who have
contributed in a very large way. On the south side of Tiger Stadium there will be a new section that is separately built with its own pilings. There will be a club level and two levels of sky box suites which will double premium seating from 5,000 to 10,000. There will be a modified upper level deck and the away game fans will be placed in the higher level sections to free up
the southeast corner section for local fans. There will be novel standing room only section catering to the fan that cannot afford the increasing price of tickets. The foundation is proposing that for $25 each ticket for any game fans can stand in line to purchase two tickets. Space will be for 800 to 1000 fans.

Q&A Summary:

What are your thoughts about rehabilitating inside of Tiger Stadium like the offices and dorms?

One day that will happen once the asbestos problem is solved. They looked at putting suites and offices.

In regards to the revitalization of Huey Long pool is the foundation involved?

We were asked to look into it, but the foundation was not directly involved. The pool in such disrepair it’s extremely costly. Dr. Martin asked several persons in the university to look into that. The foundation hired grant writer who brought in $80 million for historical buildings. He asked the Chancellor to find a person to write a grant like that to qualify for funding.

How are the places to put athletic facilities decided, for example the new tennis courts? How do you decide what property touse?

The athletic department requests from the foundation a feasibility study to see if they can do it without injuring the university. Then it is sent for athletic department endorsement, and then sent to Chancellor. The athletic department requests the places from university, and the foundation must be granted lease. The tennis courts may go near the LaHouse building. The money for the tennis courts will be raised. The final decision of the place to pout it is made by the Chancellor and President offices.



Regarding Easy Streets, Road Construction, etc.

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Gary Graham, Director and Parking, Traffic and Transportation, on Easy Streets II Easy Streets II is on hold for money and an engineer. The garage is almost ready to open next month, and the process was started in 2004. They wanted to shut down the middle of campus with booths. They wanted to come back after 5 years to examine what was done and what was needed in the future for part II. The emphasis was on pedestrians, cars, buses, etc. Sixty percent of the traffic was reduced in the center of campus during peak times. They were looking to increase safety of students, staff and faculty walking to from class and work. They worked with a city bike program to interconnect them and tie them in with the city’s plans. Those near the levee are share lanes. They are planning dedicated bike lanes on Darymple Drive and will remove parking between West Lake Shore and Highland Road. Tower Drive where there is a count of 30,00 pedestrians daily, will be closed between South Campus and South Stadium and parking eliminated on the road. They will be working on the west side of campus including everything west of Highland Road this summer using angled parking to slow traffic to increase pedestrian safety. The roundabout at North Stadium is successful and we will have two more roundabouts, the first one will be at Darymple and West Lake Shore. Work will start in March and be done in the summer. Field House Drive will have green spaces to narrow where cross walks will be and will use angled parking to increase safety. A total of 9000 pedestrians cross at Raphael Simms on Highland so there will be a four way pedestrian crossing there due to the parking garage. The other roundabout will be at South Stadium and South Campus along with enhanced green areas.

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Looks like their adding more parking next to alex box closest to nicholson by the railroad tracks. Hopefully they will keep it free so that the tailgaters that usually tailgate across nicholson can be closer to the Stadium but knowing LSU I doubt it.

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I am pretty sure the tennis facility is still going out at South Campus.

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The tennis courts may go near the LaHouse building

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I thought that area was originally suppose to be for RV's. Perhaps they're just now getting around to it.

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The tennis courts may go near the LaHouse building



From President of TAF in my 2nd post.

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It still isnt open?

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