The LCDD is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. The district was created through state enabling legislation which was enacted by the Lafayette City Council in 1983. The area encompassed by the district includes what is commonly known as the Central Business District together with some of the older, centrally located residential neighborhoods and commercial/industrial use areas that are in close proximity to the CBD.

 

The governing authority of the District is the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The DDA is comprised of a 7-member board representing a cross-section of downtown property and business owners. In fact, to be eligible for appointment to the DDA, individuals must own property or own/operate a business in the district. Members of the authority are nominated by the Chamber (1), Downtown Lafayette Unlimited (2), City Council (2), Mayor (2), and then appointed by the Lafayette City Council and serve in 3-year terms.

 

The creation of the district coincided with the completion of two key projects - the renovation and adaptive use of the Gordon Square and Jefferson Towers. Both are public-private developments made possible through the Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG), a federal program which was in effect at the time. These projects marked the beginning of the end of a period of severe downtown decline that had evolved during the 60's & 70's. Their success led to a rediscovery that downtown was one of the City’s most significant economic assets. The existing and future potential of that asset was brought into focus and recognition that just as a corporation manages its major assets for growth, security, and other benefits, so must the city develop and manage one of its single biggest assets - the downtown.

 

In response to this challenge, the City of Lafayette invited a large group of concerned Lafayette citizens to participate in the Mayor’s Downtown Advisory Committee. This large group spent a year researching other cities’ revitalization attempts, and the organizational structures they used to achieve their goals in an effort to stimulate interest and development in the downtown area. At the end of the research period, the Downtown Development District - Lafayette Centre - and its governing body, the Downtown Development Authority were established by the Lafayette City Council and the Louisiana Legislature. The LCDD was legislatively charged with the mission to halt the deterioration of downtown as well as its causes.

 

 Program Summary At-A-Glance