Someone Has Finally Listened - Southern Univeristy Coming to Ruston in 2015

[jellidawg]

And that's exactly what they said about the abandoned derelict hideous eyesore dorm on the UArk campus on Fayetteville. Now it's a four-star hotel, booked up almost continuously. Both the university and the hotelier to whom they leased the building are making out like bandits.

So you're saying that a city of roughly 74,000 is comparable to Ruston? If Ruston had a population of 74,000 and comparable industry and commercial opportunities, I would tend to agree that a $20-$30M investment is not that bad of decision. You also have to realize that a private partner was brought onboard for the "Inn at Carnell Hall." Plus, with it only being three stories, retrofit is easier (and cheaper) than a high-rise structure. The restoration of Carnell Hall cost $6.9M in 2003, according to their website. I'm sure Tech would have gladly accepted a private partner's investment in a similar venture. Caruthers did stand empty for at least 3 years.