Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

4/25/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Northwestern State University is adding several parking lots throughout its Natchitoches campus in response to increased enrollment and the anticipated completion of building renovation projects.

According to director of the Physical Plant Chris Sampite', the university will add a new parking lot near the A.A. Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts. Existing lots near the Alumni Center, Bienvenu Hall and the Health and Human Performance Building will be expanded.

An area near the Center for Creative and Performing Arts has been used as a commuter lot for about two years. The project will also pave and stripe the lot, add trees, shrubs, lighting and sidewalks. The parking lot will be near the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center which should be completed in the fall of 2004. The expanded parking area near Bienvenu Hall will help meet parking demands created when renovations are completed at Morrison Hall and the Family and Consumer Sciences Building this summer.

Repairs on the parking lot and street on the East side of Turpin Stadium will not be done until renovations to the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center have been completed. Sampite' said construction vehicles going to the Wellness Center would likely damage the street requiring further repairs if work was done immediately.

Another 65 parking spots will be added at the University Columns Apartments on Tarlton Drive. These extra parking spots should ease some of the parking problems at the apartment complex.

"Parking is a major concern for our students especially as Northwestern has continued to grow," said Sampite'. "These new lots will provide more parking near the buildings our students use the most."

When new parking areas are created, Sampite' said the university works to maintain the natural beauty of Northwestern's campus.

"We know that the beauty of Northwestern's campus is a great asset. It is one of the things that attracts students here," he said. "In creating the lots, we will carefully landscape the areas to disguise the lots and maintain the appearance of the campus. We will also work to preserve the trees which add so much to the beauty of the campus."

The university will also make needed street repairs beginning with the streets behind Sabine Hall and Bienvenu Hall. NSU has signed an agreement with the
the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury allowing a parish "pot hole truck" to repair campus streets.

"This process will seal pot holes and deter repetitive problems making campus streets better," said Sampite'

Campus street and all cross walks are scheduled for re-painting this summer. Specifications have been tightened to require a longer lasting and improved paint quality.

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