By T. Scott Boatright
The decades-old facility housed the Ruston campus of Delta Community College on James Street.
Demolition of the old structure is complete while removal of resulting debris piles is ongoing.
In 2018, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwars said the state will spend $8 million to build a new Ruston campus in Ruston that will anchor a technology park.
Once constructed, the new campus and park to be located east of Louisiana 33 and south of Interstate 20 will include a building to house high-tech robotics and manufacturing firms in its own Center of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies.
Delta’s new Ruston campus will be co-branded with Louisiana Tech.
Delta students in instrumentation technologies, industrial maintenance and industrial electrical will be able to study along with engineering students from Tech, particularly during laboratory exercises and live work projects conducted in conjunction with business and industry.
Grambling State University will also be able to engage its students in engineering technology and similar fields in the effort.
Delta Community College operates campuses in eight northeastern Louisiana towns and cities with the main campus located in Monroe.