By JIM BUTLER

A pre-bid conference is scheduled Monday for contractors interested in bidding on construction of a tower on LSU-Alexandria’s arrival plaza.

Architects for the project are Ashe, Broussard, Weinzettle of Alexandria. Bids will be received through July 11.

The tower will be a welcoming landmark to students. It will be located in the roundabout adjacent to the new Martin Family Student Services Center.

That $12 million facility now under construction by M.D. Descant is scheduled to open in Fall 2025.

Funding includes $2 million from RoyOMartin and $5 million from a host of donors responding to the school’s fundraising effort.

The center will incorporate a number of student-related services now scattered about the bustling campus into a one-stop shop for new arrivals and returning students.

The center and arrival plaza are at the southern-most campus entry on U.S. Hwy. 71.

They are part of a master plan for development and reuse of university that opened as a two-year commuter branch of LSU in 1960 and now is the fastest-growing state campus with an enrollment of well more than 5,000.

It offers four-year degree programs and on-campus housing as well as online learning opportunity.