Dorms’ demolition funded

A state emergency funding board signed off Thursday on using $2 million to tear down four abandoned and dilapidated dormitories at Southern University.

State Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater argued the funding was needed because of vandalism and asbestos within the old buildings representing a danger to the students who live in new student housing nearby.

Although he did not vote against the project, state Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Mandeville, was among those who questioned whether the demolition truly was an “emergency” when the buildings have been vacant for several years.

With Thursday’s unanimous approval by the state Interim Emergency Board, the $2 million will be finalized if a majority of legislators agree with the board’s action through a mail ballot vote

Slated for demolition are the old Magnolia Triangle dormitories, which are more than 50 years old on the north side of campus. They are formally named the Octavia Head Clark, Morris Henry Carroll, Ollie Butler Moore and Mildred M. Satterwhite halls.

In December, Southern Chancellor James Llorens said the university simply does not have the extra $2 million to conduct the asbestos removal and tear down the old dorms.

The demolition has been the university’s top construction priority for a couple years, but the state funding still has not come.

Potentially making matters worse is the university planning to start construction next month on a new Intramural Athletic Complex adjacent to the old Triangle dorms.