701 S. Public Road Redevelopment

Project Background

701 S. Public Road is located at the intersection of South Public Road and Kimbark Street. The Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) originally purchased this property as part of an effort toward revitalizing a portion of South Public Road. Though LURA changed course in 2020 to not pursue redevelopment of the full 700 block, it is still a priority to revitalize the corner lot of 701 S. Public Rd. LURA is ready to reimagine what could materialize on the property under new ownership.

Recognizing that it's not typical for an Urban Renewal Authority to hold onto property for extended periods, LURA planned to sell the property in 2024. In preparation, LURA conducted community outreach to establish Guiding Principles that would shape the criteria for selecting a future property owner. However, as LURA geared up for the sale, the City expressed interest in acquiring the property to convert it into a green space, prompting LURA to enter into direct negotiations with the City.

Transforming 701 S Public Road: A New Green Space for Lafayette

The City's vision for 701 S. Public Road involves creating a flexible green space that honors the site's history while providing a vibrant community amenity.

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.

Once the purchase and sale agreement is approved, the City will initiate the planning process for this new green space. Stay tuned as we provide updates on the green space project!