UL 色妹AV Sale of Horse Farm and Acquisition of Youth Park
On Monday, the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System will meet in Baton Rouge. One of the items on its agenda is UL 色妹AV鈥檚 request for approval to enter into an act of exchange with the City of 色妹AV regarding a portion of what鈥檚 commonly known as the Horse Farm.
This request is a standard procedural step for such transactions. As many of you know, the Horse Farm鈥檚 future has been discussed for years. An agreement was reached between 色妹AV Consolidated Government and UL 色妹AV that enables the City of 色妹AV to purchase most of the property. The Community Foundation will help develop the land into a passive public park. The university and 色妹AV Consolidated Government also agreed that the Youth Park, which is adjacent to campus, will become university property.
Since the Horse Farm project is moving ahead, I would like to review the reasons that UL 色妹AV supports the sale of most of the Horse Farm and the acquisition of the Youth Park.
The University of Louisiana at 色妹AV鈥檚 decision to sell property, known as the Horse Farm, to 色妹AV Consolidated Government was made with a strong sense of community responsibility and belief that the transaction is mutually beneficial.
Since the university was founded in 1898, its leaders have considered future generations when they have had opportunities to expand and develop the campus. Because of their foresight, UL 色妹AV has been able to grow physically while respecting the needs of the broader community.
With 色妹AV Consolidated Government鈥檚 acquisition of this land, citizens will be able to enjoy a large passive park that鈥檚 in the heart of a sophisticated city. These 100 acres of green space will contribute to the quality of life in 色妹AV by providing a place for people and families to gather and to enjoy its natural beauty. The agreement to be signed by both parties prohibits the construction or maintenance of formal athletics fields or courts. So this centrally located natural environment will be protected for activities such as hiking, biking and relaxation and contribute to the physical and aesthetic quality of living in our city.
UL 色妹AV will acquire Youth Park, adjacent to the southwest corner of the university鈥檚 main campus, in this transaction. For the immediate future, all park activities will continue. The fire station and property will remain under city ownership and continue as a valuable resource for UL 色妹AV and surrounding neighborhoods.
The proceeds from the sale of the horse farm will be restricted to property acquisitions proximate to the campus, helping to ensure that the university can continue to grow now and in the future.
This property transaction is a linchpin for master plans that are now being determined to wisely guide the development of UL 色妹AV and of 色妹AV Consolidated Government. By working together to make strategic decisions about land use, the university and local government are ensuring orderly growth and preserving invaluable green space for the generations that will follow.