The resurfacing of campus parking lots has been delayed because new residence halls may be built on existing parking lots, and the start of the road resurfacing project has continued to be delayed because of missed deadlines by the contractor. Mike Davis, assistant vice president for administration, said to avoid wasting money, parking lots will not be resurfaced until confirmation of housing plans is received.
The parking lot south of the Baptist Student Center, the lot west of Gouaux Hall and the lot east of Talbot Hall and Shaver Gymnasium will be concreted if no housing will take its place, Davis said.
According to Davis, because the new housing is planned to be closer to Bollinger Memorial Student Union and Vernon F. Galliano Cafeteria, some parking lots will be relocated.
“We are trying to grow the campus to look more like a college campus,” Davis said.
In addition, the contractors for the road resurfacing project, Piccola & Associates, Inc. from Cut Off, missed the Nov. 1 deadline to turn in the specifications for the road asphalt, Davis said.
All roads are scheduled to be resurfaced with asphalt except Ellendale Drive, Ardoyne Drive, Madewood Drive from the University Police building to John L. Guidry Stadium and Acadia Drive from La. Hwy. 1 to Powell Hall, Davis said.
The road in between Talbot Hall and the Union is included in the resurfacing plan, Davis said.
Bowie Road and Audubon Drive are not being resurfaced by Nicholls because these roads are not Nicholls property, Davis said.
Amy Blanchard, education junior from Bourg, said the improvements are much needed.
“The pot holes are hard on cars, and the flooding on some parking lots and roads are horrible,” Blanchard said.
Christian Bordelon, criminal justice junior from Montz, said the project is a great idea, but she does not think she will see the improvements before she graduates.
“The progress is going slow, but it’s an improvement,” Bordelon said.
According to Davis, the deadline to finish all resurfacing projects is still February 2007.
