Lafayette Economy Leads Nation in Growth
Fueled by a booming oil and gas industry, Lafayette's economy grew faster than any other mid-sized city in the country in 2006, according to figures released Thursday by the federal government.
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Lafayette
Started by
bigboyz05
, Jan 19 2006 03:40 AM
134 replies to this topic
#121
breaux
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Whistle-Stop
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Posted 26 September 2008 - 01:48 PM
#122
richyb83
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Posted 21 January 2009 - 11:43 PM
Business is booming:
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette has broken ground on a $211 million facility, reports The (Lafayette) Advertiser. The new 21st Century Medical Center on Ambassador Caffery Parkway is set for completion by July 2011.
http://www.businessr...-report/latest/
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette has broken ground on a $211 million facility, reports The (Lafayette) Advertiser. The new 21st Century Medical Center on Ambassador Caffery Parkway is set for completion by July 2011.
http://www.businessr...-report/latest/
#123
richyb83
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Posted 11 February 2009 - 05:37 PM
River Ranch expanding!
River Ranch moves ahead with $16 million apartment complex
The Independent in Lafayette reports that River Ranch is moving ahead with plans to build a $16 million apartment complex, despite a sluggish economy. The newspaper reports that land along River Ranch and Settlers Trace boulevards has been cleared, and supplies are expected to arrive this week. The development - called Main Street Annex - will consist of 143 apartments ranging in price from $800 to $1,500 monthly. River Ranch is Louisiana's first traditional neighborhood development designed by New Urbanism architect Steve Oubre. It lies south of the Vermilion River, and is home to 2,000 residents as well as a mix of retail, dining, and professional services all within walking distance.
http://www.theind.co...t/view/3853/95/
http://www.1012corri...-weekly/latest/
River Ranch moves ahead with $16 million apartment complex
The Independent in Lafayette reports that River Ranch is moving ahead with plans to build a $16 million apartment complex, despite a sluggish economy. The newspaper reports that land along River Ranch and Settlers Trace boulevards has been cleared, and supplies are expected to arrive this week. The development - called Main Street Annex - will consist of 143 apartments ranging in price from $800 to $1,500 monthly. River Ranch is Louisiana's first traditional neighborhood development designed by New Urbanism architect Steve Oubre. It lies south of the Vermilion River, and is home to 2,000 residents as well as a mix of retail, dining, and professional services all within walking distance.
http://www.theind.co...t/view/3853/95/
http://www.1012corri...-weekly/latest/
#124
richyb83
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Posted 11 May 2009 - 03:32 PM
Plans for I-10 raise concern
Residents along the Interstate 10 corridor in Lafayette Parish are growing concerned about their property values as plans progress to build frontage roads along the interstate. More than 200 people attended a public hearing Wednesday night, where city-parish officials and engineers presented drafts of the I-10 plan. The plan includes both frontage roads and various types of land use, such as residential, commercial and industrial.
The current drafts call for two types of frontage roads along I-10, said Jerry Trumps of the engineering firm Neel-Schaffer. There would be one-way roads with X-style ramps from La. 93 to Interstate 49, then two-way roads from I-49 to Sawmill Road near the St. Martin Parish line.
Trumps said multiple road designs were considered, and engineers looked at travel demand, how many vehicles pass on the interstate during peak hours and other traffic studies. In addition to improving traffic flow, the roads could spur economic development along the corridor. "There has been a great deal of interest in improving the I-10 corridor," Hollier said. "This has been an effort to advance this work, to see if we can get it accomplished."
Although the roads are still in preliminary draft form, meaning no final decisions have been made, the plans concerned some residents,
http://www.theadvert...0 raise concern
Residents along the Interstate 10 corridor in Lafayette Parish are growing concerned about their property values as plans progress to build frontage roads along the interstate. More than 200 people attended a public hearing Wednesday night, where city-parish officials and engineers presented drafts of the I-10 plan. The plan includes both frontage roads and various types of land use, such as residential, commercial and industrial.
The current drafts call for two types of frontage roads along I-10, said Jerry Trumps of the engineering firm Neel-Schaffer. There would be one-way roads with X-style ramps from La. 93 to Interstate 49, then two-way roads from I-49 to Sawmill Road near the St. Martin Parish line.
Trumps said multiple road designs were considered, and engineers looked at travel demand, how many vehicles pass on the interstate during peak hours and other traffic studies. In addition to improving traffic flow, the roads could spur economic development along the corridor. "There has been a great deal of interest in improving the I-10 corridor," Hollier said. "This has been an effort to advance this work, to see if we can get it accomplished."
Although the roads are still in preliminary draft form, meaning no final decisions have been made, the plans concerned some residents,
http://www.theadvert...0 raise concern
#125
richyb83
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Posted 26 August 2009 - 01:45 PM
Wonder what might be built at this prime location in downtown Lafayette?? A nice mixed-use project might work well!
Lafayette Works On Courthouse Demolition Plan
A plan to demolish the Old Federal Courthouse is moving forward in Downtown Lafayette. The idea is to make way for new development. The Lafayette Economic Development Authority is working on an agreement to take ownership of the property, demolish it, and redevelop the site. The building has been vacant since 1999
http://www.katc.com/....asp?S=10933646
Lafayette Works On Courthouse Demolition Plan
A plan to demolish the Old Federal Courthouse is moving forward in Downtown Lafayette. The idea is to make way for new development. The Lafayette Economic Development Authority is working on an agreement to take ownership of the property, demolish it, and redevelop the site. The building has been vacant since 1999
http://www.katc.com/....asp?S=10933646
#126
bigboyz05
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Posted 28 January 2010 - 02:22 PM
richyb83, on 26 August 2009 - 01:45 PM, said:
Wonder what might be built at this prime location in downtown Lafayette?? A nice mixed-use project might work well!
Lafayette Works On Courthouse Demolition Plan
A plan to demolish the Old Federal Courthouse is moving forward in Downtown Lafayette. The idea is to make way for new development. The Lafayette Economic Development Authority is working on an agreement to take ownership of the property, demolish it, and redevelop the site. The building has been vacant since 1999
http://www.katc.com/....asp?S=10933646
Lafayette Works On Courthouse Demolition Plan
A plan to demolish the Old Federal Courthouse is moving forward in Downtown Lafayette. The idea is to make way for new development. The Lafayette Economic Development Authority is working on an agreement to take ownership of the property, demolish it, and redevelop the site. The building has been vacant since 1999
http://www.katc.com/....asp?S=10933646
#127
richyb83
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Posted 11 April 2010 - 09:10 PM
Sorry to see Parkview Towers never got off the ground...but the smaller projects is a nice start
MISSING PIECE... A lack of residential development leaves downtown Lafayette with plenty to offer, except living space
Once a blighted eyesore, downtown Lafayette now boasts an eclectic blend of shops, bars, restaurants and parks. It is home to many of the city’s cultural and entertainment attractions, including the Festival International de Louisiane, which last year drew 350,000 visitors over five days. “Downtown, to me, is the heart and soul of Acadiana,” said Jaci Russo, owner of the Russo Ad Group, a downtown business. “It is truly the center of the Hub City, which is the center of Acadiana.”
But one element is largely missing — residential development, which many real estate and planning experts consider key to sustaining a vibrant downtown.
Renovations are being made to the main branch of the Lafayette Parish Library. The Acadiana Center for the Arts theater — a $15 million, state-funded 300-seat venue on West Vermilion Street — is slated to open in October Such attractions, coupled with the city’s push to be a technology hub, are needed to help transform the city into the next “cool” urban destination.
The “missing piece” is the residential component, Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel said.While city leaders have long recognized that need, decades have passed without any major residential construction. “Right now, (developers) are just waiting for that first one to take the big step and prove some success.”
Webre pointed to the lack of large, vacant buildings as a main reason residential development has never taken off. Without that inventory, developers face higher costs and risks because they must build a new structure in a dense setting, said Steve Oubre, of Architects Southwest. Those factors often make it easier and more attractive to build in the suburbs, he said. To reverse that, a city must offer tax breaks and other incentives to offset the costs of building downtown, Oubre said. Portland, Ore., and Chattanooga, Tenn., have had success with such measures, he said.
“Those are the kinds of things that we have to do if we’re going to be successful in attracting the kind of mixed use in downtown that we’re going to need,” Oubre said. With proper planning, downtown could become a dynamic mix of retail, office space and residences with a population that exceeds a thousand along Jefferson Street.
Wuestemann said that to attract and retain the “urban cool kids” and young professionals, the city must offer the infrastructure and amenities they desire. If not, they will inevitably leave for the Austins of the world, he said.“You have to plan for them now,”
He said the younger generation is looking for an urban life with walkable neighborhoods, nearby parks, cafes and live music.
Jefferson Street
Lengthy article...
http://www.2theadvoc...tml?index=1&c=y
MISSING PIECE... A lack of residential development leaves downtown Lafayette with plenty to offer, except living space
Once a blighted eyesore, downtown Lafayette now boasts an eclectic blend of shops, bars, restaurants and parks. It is home to many of the city’s cultural and entertainment attractions, including the Festival International de Louisiane, which last year drew 350,000 visitors over five days. “Downtown, to me, is the heart and soul of Acadiana,” said Jaci Russo, owner of the Russo Ad Group, a downtown business. “It is truly the center of the Hub City, which is the center of Acadiana.”
But one element is largely missing — residential development, which many real estate and planning experts consider key to sustaining a vibrant downtown.
Renovations are being made to the main branch of the Lafayette Parish Library. The Acadiana Center for the Arts theater — a $15 million, state-funded 300-seat venue on West Vermilion Street — is slated to open in October Such attractions, coupled with the city’s push to be a technology hub, are needed to help transform the city into the next “cool” urban destination.
The “missing piece” is the residential component, Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel said.While city leaders have long recognized that need, decades have passed without any major residential construction. “Right now, (developers) are just waiting for that first one to take the big step and prove some success.”
Webre pointed to the lack of large, vacant buildings as a main reason residential development has never taken off. Without that inventory, developers face higher costs and risks because they must build a new structure in a dense setting, said Steve Oubre, of Architects Southwest. Those factors often make it easier and more attractive to build in the suburbs, he said. To reverse that, a city must offer tax breaks and other incentives to offset the costs of building downtown, Oubre said. Portland, Ore., and Chattanooga, Tenn., have had success with such measures, he said.
“Those are the kinds of things that we have to do if we’re going to be successful in attracting the kind of mixed use in downtown that we’re going to need,” Oubre said. With proper planning, downtown could become a dynamic mix of retail, office space and residences with a population that exceeds a thousand along Jefferson Street.
Wuestemann said that to attract and retain the “urban cool kids” and young professionals, the city must offer the infrastructure and amenities they desire. If not, they will inevitably leave for the Austins of the world, he said.“You have to plan for them now,”
He said the younger generation is looking for an urban life with walkable neighborhoods, nearby parks, cafes and live music.
Jefferson Street
Lengthy article...
http://www.2theadvoc...tml?index=1&c=y
#128
richyb83
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Posted 09 July 2010 - 12:00 PM
Area's growth soars
A wave of new construction, renovations and new business openings is drawing more attention to Lafayette's downtown area.
Two major projects — the Rosa Parks Transportation Center and the Acadiana Center for the Arts expansion — are well under way. Completion on the AcA is expected later this year, and city-parish officials hope to be able to move some staff members into the Rosa Parks center by late 2010 or early 2011.
Once completed, each location will become a hub of sorts. In addition to housing Lafayette Consolidated Government staffers, the Rosa Parks center also will include the city bus station, a post office and Acadiana Open Channel offices. The existing building will be demolished, allowing for more parking, and plans call for landscaping and a community-oriented feel around the facility.
"That's going to be a huge improvement for that end of downtown," said Cathy Webre, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. "It will be transformative once the new building comes up. Once you add the additional parking and landscaping, it will make quite a difference."
Once completed, both projects are expected to become major showpieces for the downtown district and will eventually be joined by a total renovation of the Lafayette Public Library's main branch. This will be the first major refurbishment since the 1970s, and plans for that also are focused on creating a community gathering space for families and individuals.
The revitalization began in earnest last year and included the Southwest Group's renovation of the Tribune building on Vermilion Street, which led to the opening of Recycled Cycles of Acadiana, Philippe's Wine Cellar and The French Press, all directly across from Parc Sans Souci. In addition, Abell & Crozier Architects has purchased the building at 115 E. Main St. and has begun renovations on it, Collage Cafe opened in April at 423 Jefferson St. and A Spot for Tea and the barber spa Refinery also are open.
"A lot of the time, people looking at what's happening on the street," Webre said, "but there's also been a lot of business development in the major office towers."
The Chase Tower in particular has welcomed several new tenants during the past few months, including Westco Energy Services and Legal Reporting, Superior Construction, Gaubert and Smith Attorneys at Law and Omni Artiste Productions.
Danny Nugier, a broker for Southwest Real Estate, said the company has been pleased with its office space in the building at 100 Central St. and plans to begin marketing space on the building's third floor in the future.
"I think it's been a snowball effect," Nugier said of downtown's growth. "Once you start doing some development, people see the improvements and they want to jump in and enjoy the successes. We're doing what we can to continue trying to make it better."
http://www.theadvert...-s-growth-soars
A wave of new construction, renovations and new business openings is drawing more attention to Lafayette's downtown area.
Two major projects — the Rosa Parks Transportation Center and the Acadiana Center for the Arts expansion — are well under way. Completion on the AcA is expected later this year, and city-parish officials hope to be able to move some staff members into the Rosa Parks center by late 2010 or early 2011.
Once completed, each location will become a hub of sorts. In addition to housing Lafayette Consolidated Government staffers, the Rosa Parks center also will include the city bus station, a post office and Acadiana Open Channel offices. The existing building will be demolished, allowing for more parking, and plans call for landscaping and a community-oriented feel around the facility.
"That's going to be a huge improvement for that end of downtown," said Cathy Webre, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority. "It will be transformative once the new building comes up. Once you add the additional parking and landscaping, it will make quite a difference."
Once completed, both projects are expected to become major showpieces for the downtown district and will eventually be joined by a total renovation of the Lafayette Public Library's main branch. This will be the first major refurbishment since the 1970s, and plans for that also are focused on creating a community gathering space for families and individuals.
The revitalization began in earnest last year and included the Southwest Group's renovation of the Tribune building on Vermilion Street, which led to the opening of Recycled Cycles of Acadiana, Philippe's Wine Cellar and The French Press, all directly across from Parc Sans Souci. In addition, Abell & Crozier Architects has purchased the building at 115 E. Main St. and has begun renovations on it, Collage Cafe opened in April at 423 Jefferson St. and A Spot for Tea and the barber spa Refinery also are open.
"A lot of the time, people looking at what's happening on the street," Webre said, "but there's also been a lot of business development in the major office towers."
The Chase Tower in particular has welcomed several new tenants during the past few months, including Westco Energy Services and Legal Reporting, Superior Construction, Gaubert and Smith Attorneys at Law and Omni Artiste Productions.
Danny Nugier, a broker for Southwest Real Estate, said the company has been pleased with its office space in the building at 100 Central St. and plans to begin marketing space on the building's third floor in the future.
"I think it's been a snowball effect," Nugier said of downtown's growth. "Once you start doing some development, people see the improvements and they want to jump in and enjoy the successes. We're doing what we can to continue trying to make it better."
http://www.theadvert...-s-growth-soars
#129
richyb83
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Posted 05 January 2011 - 10:58 PM
Construction has begun on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's largest-ever student housing project
Financing was approved last month and bonds have been issued to build the $100 million project. Atlanta-based Carter has been hired as project manager. The multi-phased project consists of renovation, design, construction and expansion of the University's existing student housing inventory in the Rose Garden and Taft/Tulane communities. The facility is designed to provide 2,000 new beds and approximately 1,000 spaces of structured parking. All phases are scheduled to be completed by August 2012. Currently, UL Lafayette only has the ability to house 11% of the student body, as opposed to peer institutions, which typically house 20% or more of their respective student body. Together, the new Rose Garden and Taft/Tulane communities will create individual neighborhoods on campus for freshmen and sophomore students, with close proximity to classes, dining facilities, the new student union and other campus services and amenities. The new projects will address both current waiting lists as well as recruitment and retention objectives for the University.
http://www.1012corri...-weekly/latest/
Financing was approved last month and bonds have been issued to build the $100 million project. Atlanta-based Carter has been hired as project manager. The multi-phased project consists of renovation, design, construction and expansion of the University's existing student housing inventory in the Rose Garden and Taft/Tulane communities. The facility is designed to provide 2,000 new beds and approximately 1,000 spaces of structured parking. All phases are scheduled to be completed by August 2012. Currently, UL Lafayette only has the ability to house 11% of the student body, as opposed to peer institutions, which typically house 20% or more of their respective student body. Together, the new Rose Garden and Taft/Tulane communities will create individual neighborhoods on campus for freshmen and sophomore students, with close proximity to classes, dining facilities, the new student union and other campus services and amenities. The new projects will address both current waiting lists as well as recruitment and retention objectives for the University.
http://www.1012corri...-weekly/latest/
#130
Antrell Williams
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Posted 22 January 2011 - 03:29 PM
Lafayette is still growing, what is going on as far as developments?
#131
Innotech
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Posted 25 January 2011 - 08:25 AM
well, right now, off of Kaliste Saloom acvross from River Ranch is a rather large scale construction of a 5 star hotel and retail buildings in a somewhat greco-roman design which will retain the very old oak trees on location. Also, several other retail/mixed use projects are going on near the Super Target complex and office space on Energy Parkway. There is the addition to River Ranch near the river and several other things I cant quite remember but have seen around the city. Its definitely pretty busy lately around here. News of construction of those projects seems to have slowed though.
#132
richyb83
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Posted 09 May 2011 - 10:11 PM
Lafayette Parc(across from River Ranch) was looking for a special TIF for the convention center hotel; still no word...I came away fairly impressed with my first trip to River Ranch a few weeks back..was pressed for time; would like to see more!
Lafayette already had 10 round-abouts...possibly 60 more interesections are possible??
New Roundabouts for Lafayette
http://www.2theadvoc...bers-climb.html
Lafayette already had 10 round-abouts...possibly 60 more interesections are possible??
New Roundabouts for Lafayette
http://www.2theadvoc...bers-climb.html
#133
Antrell Williams
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Posted 10 May 2011 - 12:26 PM
Hopefully it doesn't come back to bite them in the ass, the new ones sound nice but 60? Damn....
#135
Antrell Williams
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Hamlet
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Posted 30 January 2012 - 11:27 AM
Lafayette's skyline is 
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