Graphic rendering of the additional wing being added to Louisiana Tech’s current state-of-the-art business building.
BLAKE Bolin
News Editor | btb017@latech.edu
Construction is underway on adding approximately 19,000-square feet to Louisiana Tech’s already state-of-the-art business building.
The current business building, which opened its doors in 2012, is 42,000 square feet. The additions will increase the size of the building by 50 percent.
The additions will give the business building an “L” shape as the new structure will extend toward College street and Keeny Hall. The design of the extension will coincide with the current business building.
Construction is n the additional wing to Louisiana Tech’s business building. – Photo by Brian Blakely
The additions will come at a cost $4.624 million, which will be funded from several different areas. According to Vice President of Administrative Services Sam Wallace, funding for the extension began even before the opening of the current business building and took about two and a half years.
“The college started raising external funds,” Wallace said. “We also applied to the state and were able to get funds through the legislators. The funds raised by the college will go towards equipment furnishing and staffing.”
Dr. Christopher Martin, dean of the College of Business, says the new additions will allow for continued expansion of the college.
“The new wing of the College of Business provides much needed additional classroom space to accommodate our current students and the continued growth in our programs,” Martin said.
On the first and second floor, the wing is slated to add an additional five classrooms, four study rooms and a multi-purpose lab. The third floor will feature offices and potentially one classroom as well.
Presentations will be easier to accommodate as the new wing includes a seminar room that will feature several rows of tables and chairs at a slight incline designed for large audiences.
The opening of the new wing is slated for the fall of 2016, but according to Miller, Mother Nature could delay the process.
“You could run into rain delays that may hinder it,” Miller said. “The contractor has about 400 days to build it, but I do not think it will take that long. If we continue to have the weather we have been having, he will not be able to work as much until he gets a roof on the structure. I am still anticipating we will be able to have the space available September of next year.”
Martin says he is excited about the future of the College of Business as it continues to improve and move in a positive direction.
“Given the rich history of Louisiana Tech, our outstanding faculty, and our new state of the art teaching environment, the College of Business is well positioned to develop business leaders with a unique understanding of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in our global economy,” Martin said.