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Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Laura and Delta impacted the construction, the developers behind the old federal courthouse redevelopment in Downtown Lafayette knew the project would take a lot of work. J. Dyke Nelson, the architect behind the project, said he had to wear a hazmat suit the first time he came out and saw the property.
“It was not to protect me from any kind of asbestos or lead paint or anything else. It was to protect me from the pigeon poop,” he said.
After five years and numerous delays brought on by hurricanes and the pandemic, the apartment complex built into the old federal courthouse building was finally unveiled Thursday.
The project was led by developers E.J. Krampe III, Nelson and David Weinstein, who purchased the 80-year-old courthouse complex for $1.4 million from Lafayette Consolidated Government in 2018. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Krampe and others praised the communal effort to revitalize the property, which was one of the largest and most-noticeable blighted properties in Downtown Lafayette.
“It definitely took a village,” Krampe said. “We were not alone. It took a team to do this, both internal and external folks.”
The apartment complex, called the Lofts at the Municipal, is now leasing.
One Acadiana President and CEO Troy Wayman, Lafayette Economic Development Authority President and CEO Mandi Mitchell, and Downtown Development Authority CEO Anita Begnaud all spoke at the ceremony, saying it is a step toward turning Downtown Lafayette into a more vibrant hub for the Acadiana Region.
Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory also called the project a significant win for Downtown Lafayette and said the district needs more public-private partnerships to improve downtown as the capital of the Acadiana region.
Read more of William Potter’s article for the Daily Advertiser here.
Downtown is the place where Acadiana comes to celebrate culture AND do business! Here at Downtown Lafayette Unlimited our goal is to help orchestrate these celebrations. Not only are we celebrating our community this fall with events such as Downtown Alive! and ArtWalk but over the past month, we have celebrated new ownership of beloved historic buildings as well as 10-year business milestones and more!
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Drainage construction will begin in downtown Lafayette at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Lee Avenue in front of the old city hall building, according to a spokesperson Lafayette Consolidated Government’s (LCG) Public Works Department.
Read Clair Taylor’s article for The Acadiana Advocate here.
Perficient, a digital consulting firm with an office in downtown Lafayette, hired 50 graduates from its training bootcamp held last fall.The second Bright Paths Program, an initiative designed to advance STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented constituencies and communities, was offered at its Lafayette and Detroit locations. Students completed software engineering coursework, learned about the consulting business, connected with mentors, and engineered their own innovative applications, company officials announced Thursday.
Tim Skinner has been a business owner in Downtown Lafayette for almost 30 years. While he has made an investment in the area, Skinner said he is thrilled to see other taking a vested interest as well. “This is the first big project that we see coming that will enhance east of Main,” Skinner said. “When the streets are improved and sidewalks are improved, the more accessible they are it’ll encourage people to invest money in new properties and renovating older properties. ”
SchoolMint will move into a temporary space in downtown Lafayette and could soon land a permanent home possibly later this month. Company CEO Bryan MacDonald said the company will move into the first floor of the Lemoine building, 214 Jefferson St., and hopes to have employees working there on Feb. 1.
The Downtown Development Authority is proposing construction of a performing arts center in downtown Lafayette to replace the 61-year-old Heymann Performing Arts Center, which landlocked Ochsner Lafayette General wants to buy. Referring to the idea as “the type of investment that tips the scale,” DDA CEO Anita Begnaud introduced the proposal at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday morning.
Parc San Souci has been the go-to place for people living in Lafayette for nearly twenty years. It has served as a place to host events, play and listen to live music, as well as take an iconic photo, but the Downtown Development Authority believes that it’s missing something.
In the blistering summers of Acadia Parish, Meg Arceneaux would watch her grandfather sit in his truck and go about business telling others what to do. She was fascinated with how he operated his work, hoping to one day own her own business.