Urban core revitalization is a central pillar of One Acadiana’s Vibrant Acadiana initiative, recognizing that a vibrant urban core helps the region compete for business investment and professional talent.
Through our Urban Revitalization & Development (URD) Committee, One Acadiana convenes leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to discuss the projects and initiatives shaping Lafayette’s urban core.
This fall, committee discussions focused on the I-49 Lafayette Connector and the redevelopment of the historic Holy Rosary Institute campus, with the November meeting held on site at Holy Rosary.
October: A State of the Corridor Update on the I-49 Lafayette Connector
In October, committee members joined One Acadiana’s Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for a state of the corridor update from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD).
Ryan Morvant, P.E., Critical Projects Manager with DOTD, shared an update on the I-49 Lafayette Connector, the 5.5-mile segment that would extend I-49 from I-10 to Lafayette Regional Airport, including the planned Kaliste Saloom Road interchange. He also covered the planned Verot School Road interchange. A draft supplemental environmental impact statement for the Connector was released this summer, with a final statement and Record of Decision to follow.
The update came shortly after Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) announced $50 million for final engineering and other preconstruction work on the Kaliste Saloom Road interchange at U.S. 90, including a $28 million federal INFRA grant, a $21.5 million match from DOTD, and a $500,000 local match from LCG.
Learn more about the I-49 Lafayette Connector >>
November: Holy Rosary Institute
In November, the committee met on site at the historic Holy Rosary Institute campus on Carmel Drive. Founded in 1913 with the Sisters of the Holy Family, Holy Rosary educated generations of Black students in Lafayette, including vocational and teacher training, before closing in 1993. The campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Dustin Cravins, Board President of Holy Rosary Redevelopment, shared the organization’s vision for the campus and an update on the redevelopment, followed by a tour.
Recent progress on the campus includes four new Prime Time Head Start classrooms, LEDA’s groundbreaking in October on its $5.9 million Small Business Success Center, and the new Norman C. Francis Library the Lafayette Public Library system is planning for the campus.
Learn more about Holy Rosary Redevelopment >>
Get Involved
One Acadiana members are invited to participate in the URD Committee. To get involved, contact Andre@OneAcadiana.org.