Old Town Tomorrow: The LURA Transition Project

The City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) are partnering together on visioning for what's next for Old Town Lafayette! We are looking at whether to form a new special district or other management entity to preserve and enhance our eclectic and creative downtown.

Who is the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority?

In 1999, the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority was established with the purpose of revitalizing and redeveloping the downtown area, which was previously categorized as "blighted". LURA collaborates with the City of Lafayette, private property owners, and businesses to eliminate the blight, renovate existing structures, attract new mixed-use developments, and enhance streetscapes to create an alluring and lively downtown environment. At present, Old Town has undergone a remarkable transformation into a diverse, creative, and eclectic district that hosts numerous small businesses, restaurants, museums, non-profit organizations, public art displays, and much more.

What is Old Town Tomorrow: The LURA Transition Project?

The tax-increment financing (TIF) that currently funds LURA's activities is set to expire in 2024. To ensure that Old Town remains preserved and improved for the next 25 years, the City of Lafayette and LURA are excited to announce the launch of Old Town Tomorrow: The LURA Transition Project.

The LURA Transition Project has three main objectives:

• To conclude LURA's functions and establish new priorities
• To work with Old Town stakeholders and community leaders to create a refreshed vision for the next 25 years
• To identify and establish a new organizational and financing approach to lead Old Town management and improvement efforts for the next 25 years

How else can I get involved?

Map It!

Share specific areas you love or areas that need improvement on the map below. Leave a comment to explain your creative ideas.

Attend a Working Group Meeting

The Old Town Tomorrow Working Group (Working Group) for the LURA Transition Project aims to provide input, shape expectations, engage stakeholders, and assist in the development and implementation of the Old Town Tomorrow Plan. Its purpose is to facilitate the transition and ensure the plan is implemented successfully.

The Working Group is comprised of 16 members, including engaged property and business owners, non-profits, cultural institutions, and residents. The Working Group meets periodically with City staff and their consultant, Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A). The Working Group will typically meet at 6pm on the first Wednesday of the month at City Hall. Scheduled meetings and agendas will be posted on this page. Meetings will be open to the public.