Evangeline Corridor Forward

A new front door to the heart of the city

This redevelopment vision fulfills the community’s vision to build better connection between Downtown and McComb-Veazey by investing in open space, pedestrian access, and mixed-use development 

Northern end - along Jefferson Street between Cypress Street and the proposed I-49 Connector. Southern end - east of the existing rail line to I-49 and north-south between Jefferson Street and 11th Street.  

• 167k SF of new development (mixed-use, F&B, entertainment)  
• 74 new housing units  
• 9 acres of new open space 

• Jefferson Street Improvement 
• 6th Street Improvement 

• The planning and development for the major mixed-use development can be kicked off upon the completion of the Action Plan. 
• The new park is adjacent to the proposed I-49, hence while the planning can start sooner, the development will need to be coordinated with the I-49 timeline. 

• Land Acreage: North of Jefferson - close to 3 acres, with an average size per parcel of 0.2 acre, including one (0.1 acre) vacant parcel and 6 parcels (1.5 acre) of DOTD-owned property. South of Jefferson – 9 acres, with an 8-acre parcel, two four-acre parcels, and nine parcels with an average size of 0.2 acres, including two (8 acres) vacant parcels. 
• Current Zoning: D Downtown and IL Industrial Light. 

• Continue working with DDA to create a vibrant park district that includes housing, retail, art, and open space programming. 
• Coordinate with DOTD to get an easement or lease to use space under the viaduct for programming, activations, parking, and other uses.  
• Pursue a Quiet Zone designation from the Federal Railroad Administration for the railway. 

• D Downtown supports the redevelopment vision. Rezoning the northern parcel of the site that lands within the IL district to the neighboring D designation is recommended to better support the redevelopment vision. Rezoning the southern IL parcels to a PI (Public/Institutional) district is recommended to provide flexibility for a wide range of potential public or institutional facilities. 

• Improve 6th St to enhance experience and access to Rosa Parks Transportation Center. Mirror facilities east of tracks to some degree with respect to street improvements.  
• Extend Jefferson St and 3rd St improvements across Blvd and I-49 to make a cohesive complete streets template. Reconstruct Grant St to mimic the downtown area. 
• Advocate for the construction of Jefferson St redesign, sidewalk, and bike paths per the site plans.  
• Monitor the impact of I-49 construction on power line relocation and drainage improvement. 

The Economic Action Plan recognizes that landowners along the Evangeline Corridor seek multiple ways of maximizing their development potential; therefore, the Plan illustrates a redevelopment potential that integrates the community's vision for revitalization. Future DOTD land acquisition might further affect the site's development potential. 

A center of gravity along the new boulevard

This redevelopment vision reactivates underutilized land with an active streetscape of community-focused businesses, neighborhood amenities, and open space, shaping a new, thriving Boulevard. 

Between Louisiana Avenue and 12th Street and between the proposed I-49 Connector and Plum Street.  

• 234k SF of new development (mixed-use, community facility, makerspace, light industrial, retail, neighborhood amenities)    
• 137 new housing units  
• 2 acres of new open space  

• Johnston Street Improvement 

• Street redesign for this portion of the Grand Blvd can be prioritized and implemented early, which enables the kickoff for the planning of the parcels on the east side of the Blvd.   
• The park and the larger proposed mixed-use development abutting the I-49 can be coordinated alongside the DOTD timeline. 

• Land Acreage: 7 acres of total land, with an average size per parcel of 0.2 acre, including over 2.5 acres of vacant land across 19 individual parcels, close to an acre of land containing three adjudicated property parcels, and two parcels (1.2 acre) of DOTD-owned property. 
• Current Zoning: CH Commercial Heavy and IL Industrial Light. 

• Conduct multimodal access planning study. Invest in quality and accessible bus stops on Grand Blvd and pedestrian crossings below Johnston St.  
• Improve Johnston St and Louisiana Ave pedestrian access.  
• Work on a land assembly strategy with property owners and conduct a master plan for the park - community center – makerspace development, including speaking to the University as a potential partner. 

• The Action Plan recommends a rezoning of the two CH blocks to a MN-2 (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) designation, enabling higher residential density and improving the transition between adjacent residential areas and the new commercial corridor. To achieve the proposed uses, the Action Plan recommends rezoning the two IL blocks to a CM-2 (Commercial Mixed) designation. 
• The Action Plan recommends promoting "A" Development types in accordance with the Lafayette Development Code (LDC) to achieve a more compact and accessible built form.   

• Coordinate Johnston Street redesign, sidewalk, and bike paths per the site plans. Conduct detailed planning for multimodal access.  
• For sewage, the development west of Blvd will likely require a new 8" main.  
• For water, the development west of Blvd will require relocation of mains along Blvd and cross streets and extension of the 16" main near 6th St to the south along Blvd and 6" lines looped for the development sites.   
• Monitor the impact of I-49 construction on power line relocation and drainage improvement. 

The Economic Action Plan recognizes that landowners along the Evangeline Corridor seek multiple ways of maximizing their development potential; therefore, the Plan illustrates a redevelopment potential that integrates the community's vision for revitalization. Future DOTD land acquisition might further affect the site's development potential. 

A healthy community for aging in place

This redevelopment vision activates underutilized land with senior housing and mixed-uses to meet the needs of underserved populations. 

Donlon Triangle is located between the proposed I-49 Connector, Donlon Avenue, and the railroad tracks to the south.  

• 135k SF of new development (senior living, healthcare, mixed-use)   
• 110 new housing units  
• 1 acre of new open space  

• Donlon Avenue Improvement (Proposed In This Plan)

• Distance from upcoming DOTD construction enables early implementation. The planning for this project could be started upon the release of the Action Plan. 

• Land Acreage: 9 acres of currently undeveloped space (all in one parcel). 
• Current Zoning: CH Commercial Heavy. 

• Study Donlon Ave street and infrastructure improvements to increase desirability.  
• Conduct a senior housing inventory and market study and identify potential partners. 
• Engage healthcare providers and related partners to explore feasible and creative modes of providing services at this location. 
• Increase and improve connectivity with street connection (Proposed In This Plan). 

• Additional capacity for residential density may be needed above what is allowed under a CH district. To support this, the Action Plan supports transitioning to a CM-2 (Commercial Mixed) designation.   
• In addition, promoting "A" Development types in accordance with the Lafayette Development Code (LDC) would achieve a more compact and accessible built form. 

• Consider reconstructing Donlon Ave with a complete streets template (linear tree-scaped median looped to connect to the golf course/greenspace across the railroad). 
• For water, relocation of the main under I-49 will be required. Connect the 16" main on the west side of I-49 to the 8" main on Moss with a 12" line.  
• Electrical power primary lines require adjustment for I-49 construction. Consider extending the transmission line redundant circuit from the west side of I-49 to Moss along Donlon. 

The Economic Action Plan recognizes that landowners along the Evangeline Corridor seek multiple ways of maximizing their development potential; therefore, the Plan illustrates a redevelopment potential that integrates the community's vision for revitalization. Future DOTD land acquisition might further affect the site's development potential. 

A cultural campus reimagined

This redevelopment vision further amplifies the coterie’s impact with additional programmable venues, small businesses, outdoor spaces, and residential retrofits and redevelopment. 

Between Peach Street and Magnolia Street east to west and 11th Street to 13th Street north to south.   

• 28k SF of new development (community facility, small business incubator, retail, infill housing)   
• 18 new housing units  
• 0.3 acre of new open space  

• 12th Street Project 

• Distance from upcoming DOTD construction enables early implementation. The planning for this project could be started upon the release of the Action Plan. 

• Land Acreage: 4.5 acres of total land, with an average parcel size of 0.1 acre. The site includes 7 adjudicated properties totaling about half an acre of land, one vacant property at 0.1 acre, and 2 LCG-owned properties totaling at 0.2 acre. 
• Current Zoning: CM-1 Commercial mixed, RS-1 Residential Single Family.   

• Continue 12th Street improvement. 
• Start conversations with property owners to test and refine the vision for new development.  
• Meet with national and regional foundations and model organizations to inspire planning efforts and solicit funding support.  
• Conduct federal, state and philanthropic grant search. 
• Leverage and expand the adjudicated pilot program to have successes like the Community House. 

• CM-1 supports the redevelopment vision.   
• Rezoning the northern parcel of the site that lands within the RS-1 district to the neighboring CM-1 designation is recommended to better support a small, neighborhood-scale multifamily product.  
• In addition, promoting "A" Development types in accordance with the Lafayette Development Code (LDC) would achieve a more compact and accessible built form. 

• Improve Magnolia to meet a complete streets template.  
• Construct 12th and Surrey St streetscape improvements. 

The Economic Action Plan recognizes that landowners along the Evangeline Corridor seek multiple ways of maximizing their development potential; therefore, the Plan illustrates a redevelopment potential that integrates the community's vision for revitalization. Future DOTD land acquisition might further affect the site's development potential. 

A new live-work-play exeperience

This redevelopment vision reimagines a shopping center parking lot to accommodate more vibrant activities, including commerce, strategic mixed-use development, and accessible neighborhood amenities. 

On the east side of the Parkway Shopping Center, abutting the proposed I-49 Connector and extending south to Martin Luther King Jr Drive.  

• 152k SF of new development (mixed-use, retail, office)  
• 85 new housing units  
• 1 acre of new open space  

• MLK Jr Drive Improvement 
• Clifton Chenier Access Road 

• The MLK Jr Dr street realignment can be implemented as an early-medium term action item. 
• The planning and development of the proposed mixed-use project shall be implemented after the street realignment and the determination of no impact from I-49 construction. 

• Land acreage: 14 acres of total land on the existing large parking lot, consisting of one 11-acre parcel and five other parcels averaging 0.8 acre per parcel. 
• Current Zoning: CH Commercial Heavy. 

• Conduct a retail needs study with existing business owners and the surrounding community. 
• Identify an anchor tenant for the new retail spaces to attract a range of users throughout the day.  
• Coordinate and align design with the planned MLK Jr. Drive Street project.  

• The existing CH designation restricts density to 25 units per acre, which should be considered in future parcel subdivision and development. Given the proposed design, transitioning to a CM-2 (Commercial Mixed) or PD (Planned Development) designation may be beneficial to achieve the desired outcome.  
• The Action Plan recommends promoting "A" Development types in accordance with the Lafayette Development Code (LDC) to achieve a more compact and accessible built form. 

The Economic Action Plan recognizes that landowners along the Evangeline Corridor seek multiple ways of maximizing their development potential; therefore, the Plan illustrates a redevelopment potential that integrates the community's vision for revitalization. Future DOTD land acquisition might further affect the site's development potential. 

Bridging and nourishing the communities

This redevelopment vision reestablishes pedestrian connections between Downtown and McComb-Veazey by proposing new mixed-use development, including a grocery store anchor, housing, and space for small businesses. 

North-south along the proposed Boulevard between Simcoe Street and Grand Boulevard and east to west from the proposed I-49 Connector to Magnolia Street. 

• 402k SF of new development (mixed-use, grocery, small business retail, workforce development)  
• 253 new housing units  
• 2 acres of open space 

• Jefferson Street Improvement 
• 6th Street Improvement 

• LCG and partners should begin the study and advocacy for improved pedestrian infrastructure and street design upon release of the Action Plan.   
• The planning for the sites on Jefferson Street along the east side of the Grand Blvd (grocery store, mixed-use, workforce) can kick off upon the release of the Action Plan, with construction to commence after the street redesign implementation.   
• The planning for the I-49 abutting mixed-use projects can kick off upon the determination of no impact from highway construction. 

• Land Acreage: 10 acres of total land, with an average parcel size at 0.2 acre. The site includes about 1 acre of vacant property on seven individual parcels, under half an acre of adjudicated property on three individual parcels, and 1.3 acres of DOTD-owned property on 9 parcels. 
• Current Zoning: CH Commercial Heavy and IL Industrial Light. 

• Meet with DOTD to assess the feasibility of safe and ample pedestrian crossing options (raised crosswalks, traffic calming techniques, and road diets) to ensure economic vibrancy and connectivity.  
• Identify potential grocery tenant(s) and supply them with market insights and retail needs assessment.  
• Work with LEDA, Workforce Investment Board, and local chambers and business groups to develop building specification based on program operations needs for the new workforce facility and small business hub. 

• The CH district currently restricts density to 25 units per acre. A MN-2 (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) designation would enable higher residential density and improve the transition between adjacent residential areas and the new commercial corridor.  
• A CM-2 (Commercial Mixed) designation would likely be the most compatible with the proposed plan. The Action Plan recommends rezoning the blocks zoned IL to achieve the desired outcomes.   
• The Action Plan recommends promoting "A" Development types in accordance with the Lafayette Development Code (LDC) to achieve a more compact and accessible built form. 

• Advocate for construction of pedestrian crossing and traffic calming features, Jefferson St redesign, sidewalk, and bike paths per the site plans. Conduct detailed planning for multimodal access.  
• Create an active plaza on the northwestern edge of the Jefferson and Boulevard next to I-49 that acts as a destination and landmark and softens and provides identity to the western edge of the site.  
• For sewer, upsize 8" along Jefferson to 12" (from Boulevard to Orange)  
• Coordinate with LUS and DOTD for utility improvements along Jefferson (upsizing water pipe to 12" from Boulevard to Sterling and placing electric utilities underground).  
• Monitor the impact of I-49 construction on power line relocation and drainage improvement. 

The Economic Action Plan recognizes that landowners along the Evangeline Corridor seek multiple ways of maximizing their development potential; therefore, the Plan illustrates a redevelopment potential that integrates the community's vision for revitalization. Future DOTD land acquisition might further affect the site's development potential.