Comments for Paving Paradise at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 22 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Wed, 22 May 2013 21:05:26 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-22300 I am greatly saddened at the loss of these magestic trees. I cherish the sense of peace and serenity I experienced walking among the old oaks and beautiful camellias planted in the rose garden area. I am even more saddened by the destruction of Baker-Huger Hall. I lived there for 3 years (having spent my final year in Harris Hall), and I loved its high ceilings and spacious rooms. The common area adjoining the halls was a favorite place to hang out and enjoy the rose garden's beauty through its windows. Furthermore, I can't imagine anyone considering Baker-Huger dungeon-like. In fact, the newer residence halls seemed more dungeon-like to me, having been built for the purpose of housing the largest number of students in the snmallest space. - 1994 USL Grad Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:17:15 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12690 Please save the beautiful, beautiful oaks, that shade us in the hot hot summers and bless us with their refreshing oxygen, making us all so much healthier, body mind and soul. - Joan McLean Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:10:52 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12664 METHINKS MR. STU owns a tree chopping service and sells firewood in the cold months. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:49:04 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12619 Lest the mass coniption fit continue, here is a statement from the UL administration in response to a press release issued by a group of UL students preparing to protest the arborcide: The university is very sensitive to its historical buildings and trees. While campus progress must continue, every effort is being made to protect these important assets. Designs for the housing initiative were scrutinized for months with several different proposals considered to minimize any damage to historical buildings and trees. The housing initiative calls for five trees to be planted for each tree that will be removed. The initiative also includes regulations for construction equipment working near current tree roots and the removal of impediments to the health of remaining trees. Measures such as root bridges, heavy-duty fencing and trenching will be included in the contractor's agreement. A total of six oak trees will be affected. Two were already scheduled to be removed because of declining health and limited life expectancy. None of these trees are among the Century Oaks planted by UL Lafayette’s first President Edwin Stephens. These six trees will be replaced with thirty oaks matching in-kind the trunk size of the affected trees. http://www.katc.com/news/effort-to-save-6-oak-trees-on-ul-campus/ So, let's recap: No century oaks will be removed, contrary to the title of this article. For every oak that is removed, five oaks will be planted. Two of the oaks would have had to have been removed anyway. That's a net gain of 26 oaks for the University, as well as a gain of over two-thousand beds for students. Oh, and these will actually be suitable for student use, unlike UL's current "dorms like dungeons." I personally think the trees should be removed ASAP, preferably under cover of darkness, to end this "debate" once and for all. The only people who could conceivably continue this "debate" are those who think UL exists primarily as an arboretum, and that educating students is only an ancillary function. I love UL's majestic oaks as much as, if not more than, the next guy, and I am loathe to sacrifice historical landmarks in the name of progress. In fact, I think there ought to be an ordinance against cutting down live oak trees. However, the University must serve its mission, and it is offering to plant 30 trees to compensate for a loss of four healty trees. - stu Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:16:46 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12577 I am disappointed to a point that is hard to describe in an intelligent manner, without resorting to the point of obscenity, in Mr. Oubre, the University's administration and ULL, in general. Surely Mr. Oubre's experience and education qualify him to have the intelligence to devise a plan without having to demolish those old trees. Every oak on that campus is a representation of the communal suppot the university has rec'd. Every oak is precious. I marvel at the lack or appreciation and respect the university has for the community. Is Mr. Oubre a graduate of USL? If not, I can understand his lack of caring. If he is, is he sure he absolutely cannot save those trees? After The Farm incident, i would think someone could take 5 mins to conider what effect this issue would have on the community. I'm looking for Save the Trees signs. - Morrow Fri, 19 Nov 2010 07:40:07 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12562 Geez, people, we're talking about six trees. Six, out of the dozens upon dozens on the UL campus. And people are crying as though they're going to clear-cut St. Mary Blvd. to make room for a freeway. Just like with the Horse Farm, a group of activists comes forward with a river of tears but no actual plan that meets the needs of the university. Yes, once you cut it down, it's gone. I felt the same way when McNaspy Stadium was demolished. However, perhaps something *better* is taking its place. To the author who compared UL to LSU and talked about "available space" on Johnston: If you like LSU more then please go there and spare the rest of us your whining. Are you referring to the parking lot at E. Lewis? That's way too far out for a dormitory. The main dining hall is in the union, just a short walk from the current girls' dorms and a tolerable walk from the mens' dorms. You expect students to walk twice as far as that to get to class or dining? - Jay B. (whose login doesn't work for some reason) Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:10:40 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12558 I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret "Mags", daughter of Dr. Edwin Stephens, the first president of what is now UL, when she came to Louisiana for the university's centennial celebration. We walked among the trees near Girard, and she told me how her father planted those wonderful oaks and how proud she was to see how they had grown along with the university. She reminisced how he had founded the Live Oak Society and how he envisioned them just as she saw them then. She was in awe of the oaks and the campus, and shared stories of she and her sister growing up there, and having her first date sitting on a bench near the corner of what is now Johnston and University. She told me how glad she was to see the university turn 100 and to have the opportunity to see it one last time. I am saddened that once again the public is hearing of plans made by UL, much like with the Horse Farm, to take away a piece of history on the campus for the sake of progress. I would have thought that "New Urbanist" architect Steve Oubre would have other options rather than ravage some of these graceful oaks. I urge the powers that be at UL to reconsider. There is always a better way. - babyboomer Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:27:41 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12557 The theory of replacement is valid in an aborial sense, I suppose. But in the context of the cultural treasures the the oaks are, it is patently absurd. Akin the two saying building 6 tract houses is a fair trade for tearing down Shadows-on-the-Teche. These are not just oak trees. For decades they have represented the heart and sould of the university. Also, that the university very obviously tried to conceal this as long as it could speaks volumes. This is a slippery slope...makes it much easier the next time the pesky trees are in the way. - c. coussan Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:27:06 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12552 The existing oak trees could be relocated, but cost would have to be borne by someone: http://www.treemover.com/index.cfm - Not an axe Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:57:57 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12545 Student housing on Lourdes property is not feasible for several reasons. It is not on the main campus, thus it is removed from food services, the library, etc. It would be a much tougher sell to get people to live on campus when they're not actually on campus. The infrastructure that would have to be added to this remote site would also increase the cost alot. Second, these plans have already been made. It would be quite expensive to redesign everything. Third, the dormitories along University are in disrepair and will have to be upgraded/replaced anyway. More cost. Fourth, again, these trees can be replaced. I don't see the problem with removing trees if they are replaced. Of course, it will be decades before any Live Oaks that are planted on campus will resemble those that are cut down, but they will grow back. Finally, while UL taking over the Lourdes campus seems like a great idea, I think it's presumptuous to assume that this will take place in the immediate future. The problem with on campus housing is in need of immediate attention. Moreover, if you wait to build at Lourdes, construction costs will probably rise. I don't see the fuss here. The trees will be replaced, and this is for student housing at Lafayette's economic engine. This is not like the Advanced Auto Parts store where they cut down several mature live oaks, the benefits to our community will outweight the temorary loss of foliage. - stu Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:33:09 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12539 How about new student housing on some of the Lourde's property after UL acquires it. You got to believe acquistion is now in the works and Lourdes should be moving out next year. Seems like a good place for student housing...midway between the main campus and the athletic facilities. - The Holy Goofus Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:00:27 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12536 Please do not destroy this tree. - Mary Kelley Richard Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:30:06 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12535 Should trees really take precedence over the University's mission? I think it's incredibly tragic when beautiful live oaks are cut down, but at what point are the benefits of these trees outweighed by the need for additional housing at the University, which has innumerable benefits for students? I think the problem could be rectified quite easily: For every Century Oak that is felled, another live oak is planted on the main campus. It would be preferable to plant these trees near where they were cut down, but if this proves impossible, the area should too be treed with species that do not take up so much ground space. Why not line University (where the Oaks will be removed) with Cyress trees, while planting six new Oaks along Hebrard, which has very little shade? Cypress trees are the Louisiana state tree, and UL is THE University of Louisiana. We've got to balance preservation with progress, and the beauty of campus with the need for additional facilities. I think all of these concerns can be met. Finally, it should be reiterated that the Oaks are being removed because of problems with the footprint of new buildings that have to be moved over because the University is saving several older and historical dormitory buildings. If the University commits to replacing these six live oaks elsewhere, replaces the trees cut down with more appropriately sized trees at the site of the original oaks, and the university expands housing while preserving historical buildings then everybody wins. - stu Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:27:45 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12530 Please let me know if the trees will be used for firewood and not halled off to the land fill. - I need firewood Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:15:41 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12526 It's a tough call. If the dorms need updating, then the University, overall, is suffering. The history of the trees seems to be the biggest question. It's sad that they have such history or this project would be a relatively non-issue. My father planted 3 live oaks in our front yard in Lafayette when I was about 3 years old. This was in 1970-71. By the time I was 30, the diameter of the trees were about 3 feet wide and the trees were about 30-40 feet tall. He planted bedding plants around the base and used Miracle Grow fertilizer. The trees must have gotten a lot of that fertilizer and the growth really took off. He didn't plant those bedding plants until around 1992. I'm thinking if they replant live oaks and really fertilize them, the University will have substantial oaks (like those current ones) in a couple of decades. Granted, the history of the new trees won't be the same but maybe the Live Oak Society could oversee the project in Dr. Stephen's memory. - KG Thu, 18 Nov 2010 07:15:54 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12521 Ga De Don, Plant some 10 year old 6"-8" chicken trees, we must not hinder progress. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:47:16 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12520 take a look at lsu's campus. the old live oaks make that campus attractive, peaceful and inviting. the buildings are secondary. there is plenty of land for building dorms on the "lourdes" side on johnston, perfect for dorms, perfect for parking. please, please consider this. please spare every wonderful,old, landmark live oak on ul's campus. - marie broussard Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:46:07 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12518 Obvious that UL was going to conceal this as long as they could. Outrageous that these trees were planted by Dr. Stephens, former UL president, who founded the Live Oak Society. Not at all clear that the university explored all options. - c. coussan Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:37:23 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12509 We are a group of students attempting to coordinate a group of University of Louisiana at Lafayette students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community supporters asking our school administration to reconsider their design plans for new dormitories and a resident parking tower in order to save six live oaks that are each over fifty years of age. These oaks are a part of our culture and our heritage and are a blessing to our campus community as well as the surrounding community. We understand the intent of the administration is to bring a new sense of life to our campus with these buildings, and we are in full support of this goal. Despite this, we hope to encourage a dialogue between the undersigned and our administration in an effort to alter the current plans in favor of saving the lives of these beautiful trees that our community is so lucky to have. We are circulating a written petition on campus and have created an online petition with hopes for support from alumni and other community members concerned with this issue. Anyone interested is asked to please go to the following website and sign our online petition, and to spread the word about the petition to others. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/lafayetteliveoaks/ - Felicita Wilhelm Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:58:34 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7311-paving-paradise#comment-12506 My question is who christened Oubre a New Urbanist? From what I can tell, he's about the furthest thing from it. Just look at the River Ranch debacle . . . That's not New Urbanism; a gated community without the gates! - MollyBloom Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:28:05 +0100