Since the University has taken over management at La Maison du Bayou on-campus apartments, the flooring in each apartment, linoleum tile and carpet, will be replaced with wood laminate flooring and ceramic tiles. “The flooring renovations will help residents keep things clean and help with problems like students with allergies,” Diane Garvey, director of residence life, said.

If everything goes as planned, the renovating of the 114 apartments on the property, which began Sept. 15, is expected to be completed by Feb. 23, Garvey said.

“We are trying to get the apartments where they should be,” Garvey said.

Residence Life, along with the contractors, has worked out a specific schedule to ensure work goes smoothly and timely.

Renovations began with building two and will continue until the entire complex is completed.

The renovations are not a major setback, according to Garvey.

“When we (the University) assumed management we knew what we had to do,” Garvey said. “The renovations do not interfere with anything else on campus.”

Garvey explained the renovation cycle starts on Saturdays with four empty apartments on the complex that have been renovated. These are temporary apartments where all residents will live in for a span of six days while their permanent apartment’s flooring is changed.

First, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, tenants move from a permanent apartment to one of the temporary apartments and then the contractor begins work on the empty apartments at 7 a.m. Sunday until Thursday.

The maintenance staff will then go in the apartments to clean and prepare them for tenants to move back into their permanent apartments.

To give residents warning, Garvey said a letter is hand delivered by a community assistant to the soon-to-be renovated apartment two weeks prior to repairs. The residents must sign and comply with the letter. If the schedule does not suit them, Garvey said the resident needs to contact the office with an explanation.

Garvey said there are special cases, such as student athletes’ apartments, where they would not be able to move out during their building’s specified time.

For example, the athletes who play fall sports will not have new flooring until the spring, and athletes who play spring sports will have new flooring before the end of the semester.

If students do not show up or comply with moving out procedures, Garvey said their property obstructing the way will be moved and they will not be allowed in the apartment during renovations since the contractor will have the keys.

“We have not had anyone refuse to move out yet,” Garvey said.

The renovations, currently on their third cycle, will continue through fall break, Thanksgiving Holidays and winter break.

Before (Sarah Thibodeaux)