Gatherings aim to define best use of former Acadiana Outreach Campus downtown and adjoining properties around West Second, Monroe and South Buchanan streets.
The Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority is holding a series of charrettes for the design and development of the former Acadiana Outreach Campus downtown and adjoining properties around West Second, Monroe and South Buchanan streets.
Nationally acclaimed planner/architect Steve Oubre of Architects Southwest will facilitate gatherings.
The opening presentation is Monday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Rosa Parks Transportation Center meeting room. Additional planning meetings will be held for stakeholders in the days that follow. "The redevelopment of this five-acre tract will have a huge impact on the future of downtown and the surrounding historic Mills Addition neighborhood," LPTFA Chairman John Arceneaux said in announcing the charrettes. "Because of the potential impact, we wanted to involve the public and neighborhood groups in the planning and design stages of the area."
Charrettes are a collaborative planning process that harnesses the talents and energies of everyone, from city planners and business owners to neighborhood residents. The groups work together to arrive at the best possible solution to the complexities and design issues that come with any new development.
"This is an historic area. We want to engage as many stakeholders as possible," LPTFA trustee Celeste White said in the announcement. "Many want to see public space, artist space, markets, new housing and new commercial development. We want to hear as many ideas as possible when designing this community."
For more info on LPTFA and its projects, click here.