New University Housing, Retail Space Coming to UL Lafayette
Jun 07, 2018 02:15PM ● By News Desk
Construction is underway for The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s newest project. This addition to campus will bring nearly 600 new beds and 5,000 square feet of retail space for students to take advantage of.
The apartment complex is the latest step in UL Lafayette’s ongoing effort to expand and renovate on-campus student housing.
Once built, the facility will offer students a choice of two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. Each furnished apartment will have a full kitchen, and washer and dryer. Meal plans will be offered, but not required like for those living in the dorms on campus.
The complex will include five buildings with 591 beds on a 12-acre tract at the corner of Johnston and East Lewis streets. One of the buildings that will front that intersection will have 4,883 square feet of retail space on its first floor, with apartments on the second and third floors.
The complex’s outdoor recreation areas will include a swimming pool, sand volleyball court and a grilling pavilion. A clubhouse will feature a fitness center, study and game rooms, and a lounge.
The facility is scheduled for completion by Fall 2019.
Plans include 632 parking spaces for residents, guests and retail customers. More than half of the spaces will be located on the east side of Coulee Mine, which runs through the tract. A new pedestrian bridge will connect the properties.
UL Lafayette currently can accommodate 3,180 students in its residence halls. The complex's additional 600 beds would enable nearly a quarter of its student population to live on campus.
Residents of the new apartments will range from sophomores to graduate students.
Construction of the five buildings on the site is anticipated to cost $48 million. The University Of Louisiana System Board Of Supervisors has approved the expenditure of up to $105 million if the University chooses to expand the apartment complex on this site.
The project will be financed through a partnership with the private, nonprofit Ragin’ Cajuns Facilities Inc.
Image credit: Niles Bolton Associates
