As an old school native of BR, I tend to have more knowledge of the city than most but one mystery has eluded me for years - - I’m hoping someone here has the answer.

Decades ago north of LSU on Nicholson- - specifically on the west side of Nicholson- - as you head towards downtown there was a row of beautiful homes. One after another… side by side. Then alluvasudden they were demolished and nothing ever took their place.

What happened that all these people sold their homes to be leveled?

Anyone know?

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Posted by OysterPoBoy

City of St. George

Member since Jul 2013

44554 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:09 am to Barrister

Maybe the waste water plant?

Or was that already there? It looks like they are about to build something else there.

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Posted by OneSaintsFan

St. George, La

Member since Jan 2009

1905 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:10 am to Barrister

I feel like I remember someone buying up the land for a big development to link downtown and LSU int he Kip era of downtown growth but not sure what happened.

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Posted by CapitalTiger

Baton Rouge, LA

Member since Sep 2019

457 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:11 am to Barrister

Developer out of Lafayette bought them to construct a mix use development. IIRC project filed bankruptcy and sat with banks for years. Someone recently acquired it but not sure of their plans.

Original plan with the EBR Sewer overhaul of the mid 2000’s was to shudder and demolish that treatment plant. It never happened and that killed most interest in developing the land further.

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Posted by wallowinit

Louisiana

Member since Dec 2006

17620 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:12 am to Barrister

I definitely recall what you’re talking about. Those were nice homes at one time, but eventually through the years most of them did seem to become abandoned and run down.

It looks like someone or some entity, bought the properties and demolished the houses in preparation for a development which has yet to happen.

I seem to recall hearing that it was going to be developed, but apparently it was a rumor.

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Posted by OysterPoBoy

City of St. George

Member since Jul 2013

44554 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:14 am to CapitalTiger

quote:
Original plan with the EBR Sewer overhaul of the mid 2000’s was to shudder and demolish that treatment plant. It never happened and that killed most interest in developing the land further.

It’s just been demolished recently. Hopefully the area will start improving. They are about to build a street of new houses near the motorcycle store.

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Posted by Barrister

Member since Jul 2012

5288 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:17 am to CapitalTiger

quote:
Developer out of Lafayette bought them to construct a mix use development

Seems maybe this rings a bell - - just seems odd that 100% of homeowners would sell. Usually always a hold out. I was thinking this had to be a State taking but man what a lawsuit that would have been. Maybe they paid them such an ungodly amount they couldn’t say no.

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Posted by lsumailman61

Gulf Shores

Member since Oct 2006

7964 posts

Posted on 4/24/26 at 8:23 am to Barrister

Several became rentals to college kids back in the early 2000’s. Nice homes but soon became quickly run down by groups of frats that used their buddies rental houses as party palaces off campus.

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