MAYOR-PRESIDENT MONIQUE B. BOULET PROPOSES NEW, MORE ACCESSIBLE SITE FOR NORTHEAST REGIONAL LIBRARY

Lafayette, LA – Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet announces a major step forward in the development of the long-awaited Northeast Regional Library. After years of planning and public input, the library is now proposed for a more accessible location along Louisiana Avenue, near the intersection of Carmel Drive.

“This project is the result of years of collaboration, engagement, and hard work by community members, civic organizations, and public leaders,” said Mayor-President Boulet. “Public libraries are critical infrastructure—they promote literacy, preserve history, build community, provide equitable access to technology, and most importantly, ensure that these resources are accessible to all.”

The original site, located near Shadow Bluff Drive and Louisiana Avenue, posed access challenges. The new site offers improved connectivity and walkability from nearby landmarks such as Clark Field, Domingue Recreation Center, and Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary School.

Lafayette Consolidated Government has entered into a Letter of Intent with the Society of the Holy Family, a local nonprofit and property owner. The agreement includes a 99-year ground lease for $1 per year, enabling LCG to move forward with planning, design, and construction—pending final approval by the Lafayette Parish Council.

Public feedback has played a central role in shaping the vision for the library, with more than 1,200 residents calling for a space that reflects local culture, embraces natural light, and fosters learning both indoors and outdoors.

Design and construction will be led by 720design, a Dallas-based firm specializing in library architecture. The current timeline anticipates construction beginning in spring 2026 and the library opening by late 2027.

“Improved access, bridging the digital divide, and creating a destination for early childhood programs and tutoring were top priorities identified by the community,” said Boulet. “This step forward reflects those needs—and together, we’re building a library that will serve, educate, and inspire generations to come.”

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