Fire-Damaged Louisiana University’s Hall Expected to Open in August

University of Louisiana at Monroe officials expect George T. Walker Hall, which was heavily damaged in a 2012 fire, will be open in August.

Jason Roubique, ULM’s director of facilities management, tells The News-Star the project is about 15 percent complete. Construction began in November.

Roubique says J.S. Rugg Construction provided the lowest bid for the project, approximately $4.4 million. The money used to fund the project comes from insurance proceeds.

“Since Rugg Construction began, they have completed most of the demolition activities needed to make way for repairs and improvements. Several fire-damaged items needed to be removed from the building. They are currently completing these demolition activities, and they’ve started permanent repairs,” Roubique said.

Much of the first floor and some of the second floor were gutted after the two-alarm fire, which began in a custodial closet on the right wing of the first floor of Walker Hall one morning in June 2012. No one was injured in the fire, and investigators with the Monroe Fire Department believe the blaze was likely caused by an “energized” stove top.