LAFAYETTE, LA -- After more than two years of community outreach, research and planning, the draft action plan for redeveloping neighborhoods along the Evangeline Thruway Corridor will be shared in public meetings led by the Evangeline Thruway Redevelopment Team (ETRT).

Representatives from Lafayette Consolidated Government, the Evangeline Corridor Initiative (ECI) professional consulting team and the ETRT will be on hand to answer questions at two Open House events:

Wednesday, March 21, 4 – 7 pm, Clifton Chenier Center, 220 West Willow Street

Thursday, March 22, 4 – 7 pm, Vermilion Conference Center, 326 Gauthier Road

ETRT Chairwoman Skyra Rideaux said the Draft Report/Action Plan, prepared by the ECI consulting team, represents an extensive amount of community outreach and engagement. The document includes design concepts for neighborhood revitalization projects, as well as steps for funding and implementation.

“This plan identifies more than 40 Catalyst Projects, which are designed to drive investment from both the public and private sectors, and build momentum for intentional reinvestment in our urban core and oldest neighborhoods,” said Rideaux.

The ECI Draft Report/Action Plan addresses the future I-49 Connector and recommends approaches to revitalize and redevelop the Corridor. Interested citizens are encouraged to review the report and share their input prior to its adoption by the ETRT and endorsement by the Planning Commission and Lafayette City-Parish Council.

Because it incorporates efforts initiated by neighborhood coteries and community groups, the draft report includes some projects that are already underway in various stages of implementation.

"These open house events are a final opportunity for the community to view the draft plan, provide input and to advocate for this effort alongside ETRT members. The ETRT will continue to remain engaged to ensure the success of the overall project,” Rideaux added.

The ECI Draft Report/Action Plan will be available online and in print at the Rosa Parks Transportation Center at 101 Jefferson Blvd. Public comments on the report are due Thursday, March 29, 2018 at noon.

For more information, contact Neil LeBouef, at nlebouef@lafayetttela.gov or 337-291-7196.

About the Evangeline Corridor Initiative

The Evangeline Corridor Initiative was formed to create a revitalization plan for the Evangeline Corridor based on input from residents and business owners. The Evangeline Corridor includes neighborhoods and businesses along and adjacent to the planned I-49 Connector.

About the Evangeline Thruway Redevelopment Team

The Evangeline Thruway Redevelopment Team (ETRT) was formed by the Corridor Preservation and Management Action Plan to Preserve the I-49 Alignment (Action Plan). The ETRT is composed of 15 members appointed by several organizations outlined in the Action Plan.

About the LaDOTD I-49 Connector Project

The I-49 Lafayette Connector, part of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s (LaDOTD) Geaux South program, is a future 5.5-mile segment of highway that is a critical transportation link for Lafayette and the state as a whole. Geaux South is a $3 billion, multi-year construction initiative to convert approximately 160 miles of the current U.S. 90 corridor to Interstate 49 South. When completed, I-49 will extend from the current terminus at I-10 in Lafayette to the West Bank Expressway in New Orleans. Geaux South will support economic growth, improve access, reduce traffic congestion, and improve connectivity throughout the state’s transportation system.