The entirety of the parking projects, renovations to the cafeteria and the Bollinger Memorial Student Union are a few of the many projects that should be completed by the start of the fall 2007 semester Michael Davis, Assistant Vice President for Administration, said. The first portion of the parking project involved building three concrete parking lots. Two new parking lots, one north of Ellender Hall and one south of the greenhouse next to the tennis courts, were ready for the first day of classes. The third parking lot, located on Bowie Road next to La Maison du Bayou should be ready within two weeks, Davis said. Weather conditions delayed the expected time for the completion of this project.
The second portion of this project, resurfacing the streets and other parking lots, should be completed by the spring 2007 semester, according to Davis. This project was delayed due to problems receiving the design specifications from the designer, but he expects to receive this shortly. Afterwards, he and other officials will be receiving bids. This project should be completed by the spring 2007 semester.
The total cost of the parking project will be approximately $3.2 million, Davis said.
Another project currently in progress is the renovations to the cafeteria and Bollinger Memorial Student Union.
The cafeteria was outdated, and the fire marshal required a sprinkler system to be put in. Bonds were sold in May, and the architect has resumed design work, Davis said. Davis said he expects to have completed bidding and selected a contractor by the end of November, and the contractor will be given notice to begin the project by the end of November.
Davis said he expects to have the cafeteria ready for full operation by the start of the fall 2007 semester. The total cost for this project is $5.2 million.
Two students were hit by cars last year while crossing Audubon Drive. To help increase students’ safety, reflectors were put on the crosswalks along Audubon Drive. The Student Government Association requested that Nicholls officials make sure the crosswalks were safe for students, SGA President Olinda Ricard said. Nicholls officials negotiated with the city of Thibodaux; the city then placed paint and reflectors along crosswalks on Audubon Drive.
Another project to occur this year will be installing an elevator in Talbot Hall. Talbot Hall is the last two-story academic building at Nicholls without an elevator; construction is expected to start later this year, Davis said. The estimated cost for this project is $349,000, funded through building use fees.
Davis said he is hoping to receive state funding in September for electrical update project phase three, constructing a new electrical substation on the East side of campus. This would handle future growth and afford Nicholls a more reliable electrical system. The estimated cost of this project is $3.8 million.
Davis said he is also hoping to receive state funding for the renovation of Beauregard Hall. He is hoping to receive word on this project by the end of September. The estimated cost for this project is $14.7 million.
