In an effort to provide more modern and affordable housing options to the thousands of students studying medicine and nursing in New Orleans, the LSU Board of Supervisors this week gave the green light to a new $100 million apartment complex.

The dorm-style building, which is expected to be completed in 2021, would house 600 students and would be built on a site a half-mile from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome near the new University Medical Center.

The decision comes as rents continue to rise in many parts of the city, including near the medical district.

In addition to providing cheaper housing, officials hope the new building will enhance campus life, according to Matt Altier, chief executive of the LSU Health Foundation New Orleans.

“The only (student) housing available now are the old 1960s dorms on Perdido Street by the (Interstate 10) highway,” said Altier, noting that 3,800 students are enrolled in LSU’s six local health sciences schools, including medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health.

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