I took a stroll through the streets that make up Downtown Lafayette today. Sure this seems like an unordinary beginning to a story but it was actually a very rare occurrence. The problem is Downtown is in such disarray that almost no one every takes a leisurely walk through it’s streets unless perhaps they are intoxicated or forced to for business or the occasional bite to eat. Maybe a nostalgic few of you may disagree, but in my experience a personal love for the past doesn’t include numerous unoccupied buildings and rotting facades. I am aware of the “Downtown Development” movement and the lack of funding they receive from the city and the state. That, because of lack of funds and politicians hell-bent on sending the money elsewhere the situation is only going to get worse in the coming years. I personally know many individuals working tirelessly to do what they can with what we have,but what if “what we have” isn’t enough?
This article is merely a desperate plea for something to be done because the situation is getting critical. Just walking through the entirety of Downtown today I counted not one but FIFTEEN abandoned buildings in the main street area. Maybe I’m biased because one of these closed businesses is in fact my beloved “Frankie Burger”, but what about the other fourteen, what about all the others I didn’t see today? We need Solutions.
Freetown Press 
Right on target! Moving here from the East, the pace is slower…..but the way they do things around here is like molasses. The first photo of the old car repair place (I guess that’s what it was) would make the best Art House Cinema. I wonder when thinking outside the box will arrive here.
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The building in the thumbnail picture here is next door to us at The Studios at LWG/Gallery 333. It’s already leased and will be a web development company at the beginning of next year. The fourth pictured building is another up for lease by LPTFA, the organization who bought up and developed the stretch from Uptown Lofts to the red brick building in the thumbnail (that includes us), who have been proactive in developing some of Lafayette’s best places. The Park at the Horse Farm is another.
I agree with your sentiment, but this entire article is awful because it’s one-sided, and it’s clearly uninformed. As a person who lives downtown and crosses through downtown multiple times a day, I can vouch for many people who stroll for reasons other than business ventures. We are a living community.
I need to point out that nearly all of these buildings are currently up for lease or have something proposed for their usage in the future. If we as a community are not alright with buildings sitting vacant while up for lease, we should be taking up the leases ourselves and making them into what we envision for downtown. Which is what is happening, for those with the money to do so. I don’t have funds myself, so I will not complain about other people not being able to spend on making the place better. If we are to criticize what’s going on, we need to also input a valid and useful solution. We can be upset that things don’t look great when they don’t. But we can also let our voices be heard and let people know at the meetings and on facebook pages, what exactly we would like brought to our downtown, so we can all go about making it happen.
In closing, I want to reiterate that downtown is on its way up right now. All these places are waiting on the perfect tenants to bring in the right businesses and hangouts and culturally-needed things we all enjoy right here in our front yard, and it will happen. All of our input matters. If you follow Developing Lafayette and Downtown Lafayette and many other pages, you can keep up with all the great stuff happening downtown and throughout this city. Articles like this, although they mean well (“desperate plea”, etc.) only spread negativity. There are places and times at which our developers ask for us as a community to give them input, and we should take advantage of that if we want to grow. Again, nothing personally against you, because you also mean well! I’m hopeful for the future!
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A Jackson Square approach on the fence around the stage area would bring tourists in to see the art . Not much support for artists, and huge venues for musicians. At least a free compromise ,the sun is free and the fence is there . Tourists want to see culture not hobos and drunks. The Tobasco Factory has bus loads coming in rain or shine . Downtown has that potential , where are the leaders . Oh , that is right , they are to busy hiring Mexicans to build their houses , at a cheap rate and flush everyone else down the toilet ,time to wakeup – we have squandered to long – THE END
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Perhaps because the price/sq ft is the same as better trafficked buildings in other cities?
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I am a 15 year resident of Freetown, I work Downtown walking to/from work 5 days a week. You think Downtown looks bad, just wait until the new bar on Garfield opens. The house across the street from the new bar just went through a major renovation & is up for lease. Good luck with that. As for art facilities – why open a gallery or art house cinema when you can open another bar. I have no problem w/alcohol. but do we really need another bar. I thought we were trying to get people to live in the Downtown/Freetown, not just party & puke.
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As I rode my bicycle away from my usual route, into “downtown” yesterday morning, I experienced an awry feeling. I rode several blocks and witnessed people who projected unhappiness or illness. I, also, saw a lot of trash on the edges of the streets.
As I entered into the beautiful Saint Street area, my thoughts towards the confusing feelings of downtown drew a few conclusions. One being that the parish jail, along with the supported bail bond businesses, should be positioned in a rural environment within the parish. Another was the railroad / Evangeline Thruway disadvantaged (and possibly crimal activity-related) area unpleasantly among “downtown”. A few thoughts.
Churches, schools, bars, a prison, criminal attorneys, homeless people…all in a small area, where viewing from my bike on a Sunday morning, was the opposite of delightful.
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Thanks for bringing up this subject. As one of those tasked with enhancing downtown, I wanted to provide with you with some additional information that may have helped. We always encourage anyone interested in Downtown to call us or simply drop by our office to better help understand what we do, how we’re funded and what our mission and key initiatives are. We would enjoy an opportunity to talk with you and encourage you to get in touch.
Regarding the specific buildings you focused on, here’s some additional information to help provide context:
First, three of them are the old AOC building (originally the library), the old Federal Courthouse, and the old Police Administration building that are right behind our office. Those have been vacant for many years, and we are working with the LCG to permit them to be redeveloped. Permission has not been granted to date due to a desire by some to reserve that site for a new Parish Courthouse.
Second, you included the old Coburn’s building which is owned by the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development. They purchased it because it would be impacted by the current design of a proposed interchange on the proposed I-49 Connector. They had contracted to demolition the building, but those plans were put on hold once they learned that the building was very historic. It remains in limbo.
Third, you included the old Whitney Bank building which was purchased a few months ago by a development group out of Baton Rouge who is exploring their options for redevelopment into something better than what they purchased. That is good news for the downtown.
Fourth, you included The Plaza, formerly known as Karma. This bar is closed during the day, but it opens up on the weekend nights.
Fifth, you included four buildings that have been vacant for years which require substantial renovation in order to be leased. Many of these have seen these improvements needed within the last few months and we are pleased that the owners have finally decided to make the buildings available.
Sixth, you included four buildings that have housed restaurants that have closed. They are examples of places that simply did not make it (we have 30 others that are making it). The reasons for closure varied for each entrepreneur.
Seventh, you included a bar that is only open for special events (so it might have appeared closed to you).
So, once you add it all up, we have a few businesses that did not make it, we have multiple buildings currently owned by the government that are not available for development, we have a number of buildings that are coming on the market for the first time in decades (and require substantial buildout which discourages immediate redevelopment), and we have a few buildings that appear vacant because they cater to the late night crowd.
We appreciate your interest in the future of Downtown. We live and breathe it every day. Our staff often meets with the community who want to know more about Downtown or have similar questions to yours. We appreciate this opportunity to extend an invitation to meet with us or call or email us anytime : 337-291-5566 or info@downtownlafayette.org. Or if you’re interested in having us at a forum or public meeting, we would be happy to set up a time that you can promote here on your blog.
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