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New developments and progress coming to Downtown Lafayette
On the eve of the Downtown Rising concert, Anita Begnaud, CEO of the Downtown Development Authority, gives her take on the future of Downtown Lafayette.
Downtown Lafayette is where the people of Acadiana gather. Not to big, not to small, it offers restaurants, bars, live music, and culture with a little something for everyone. With increasing demand for commercial and residential developments, Downtown is growing. 200 residential units are currently in the plans for Downtown, and new residents offer endless possibilities for retail and commercial investments.
The 90 year-old Evangeline Hotel building currently serves as apartments for elderly citizens of Lafayette. Owned by the Lafayette Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (LNEDC), the historic building is a former hotel that has hosted Elvis Presley and past presidents. The board of LNEDC recently announced plans to redevelop the property in a two-part strategy. First, they plan to build a new facility for current residents, then renovate the Evangeline Hotel property to meet the needs of a growing Downtown.
LNEDC has formed an advisory committee, comprised of real estate professionals, developers, bankers, and other stakeholders from the Downtown community. The advisory committee will consult and aid in the process of renovating the historic property and decide what the best possible use for the building is. The project is still in its earliest phases, but it is an example of the enthusiasm surrounding our rising Downtown.
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