FAQs

701 S Public Road was originally purchased by the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) in 2019 as part of a larger effort toward revitalizing a portion of South Public Road. While those plans shifted due to changing priorities and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunity to reimagine the site remained. In summer 2024, the City went under contract with LURA to purchase the property and turn it into a pocket park—creating a welcoming spot for the community to gather, relax, and enjoy. The addition of a pocket park on Public Road aligns with many of the goals in the City's Comprehensive Plan, Old Town Tomorrow: Action Plan, and other strategic plans.

The existing building on the site, which may have historical ties to miners' housing, was assessed and found to be ineligible for Federal and State Historic Registers. A structural evaluation further revealed that the building is in poor condition and requires significant repairs. Consequently, the City requested that LURA proceed with demolishing the structure, with plans to salvage any materials, if possible, such as the hollow bricks, for incorporation into the green space design. This will connect the future of the site with the history of the past.