Acomprehensive master plan for campus includes provisions for managing growth, development and change over the next 15 to 20 years.
It outlines plans for additional parking, bikeways and mixed-use development of university property in and near University Research Park. The plan also covers immediate needs, such as wider sidewalks and the creation of a 24-hour study facility.
UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie said the plan “builds on an already solid foundation that has been enhanced recently by the construction and renovation of student housing on campus, the planned renovation of Fletcher Hall, the addition of the bike path/pedestrian path that connects the main campus with University Common, and construction of additional parking towers.”
Bikeways would also be created and bike stations would be provided on the perimeter of campus.
Two of the four lanes of St. Mary Boulevard that cross through campus would be converted into bike lanes.
The development of University Research Park and university-owned frontage on Congress Street is a major component of the Master Plan.
Steve Oubre of Architects Southwest, the firm that drew up the master plan, said there is an opportunity to create “research villages” there. A market analysis showed the need to build more than 600 residential units for young professionals, retirees and graduate students.
The plan calls for doubling the size of the convention center that’s next to the Cajundome and building a hotel nearby.
Oubre said results of an analysis of space in academic buildings were a bit surprising. An assessment showed that there is adequate room to accommodate growth if some academic buildings on the main campus are renovated. The issue was of particular interest because campus is landlocked.
Oubre said the overall goal is to create “a campus village,” where people live, work, shop and socialize at buildings within walking distance. He noted that the main campus is only about three blocks from downtown Lafayette.
The Master Plan was approved by UL Lafayette’s Campus Planning Committee in November and was endorsed by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors in December.
In October, UL Lafayette students approved a self-assessed fee to support implementation of the University Master Plan.
Lafayette Consolidated Government has been working simultaneously on a comprehensive plan that will guide Lafayette’s growth over the next 15 to 20 years. LCG’s plan incorporates the University’s Master Plan.
“We want Lafayette and Acadiana to continue to be known for their extraordinary quality of life. This Master Plan is intended to be our part in helping us achieve those goals,” Oubre said.