LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — In Lafayette Parish, a significant step forward has been made in the development of the Northeast Regional Library and the site of the Holy Rosary campus.

On Tuesday,  Mayor President Monique Blanco Boulet stated that the Holy Rosary campus will be the location for the new library.

The mayor-president announced the Lafayette Consolidated Government entered into a letter of intent with the Society of the Holy Family.

“I want to thank mayor-president Boulet and her administration. I want to thank the councils in advance for understanding that you got to stop talking and start working at some point,” Senator Gerald Boudreaux stated.

Boulet said that under the agreement, LCG will receive a 99-year ground lease at a symbolic rate of one dollar per year.

“The Lafayette Public Library’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Lafayette parish by offering high-quality, cost-effective services tailored to community needs. This new location supports and advances that mission,” Boulet added.

Initially, $8 million dollars had been set aside for the project.  “We are asking to move $7 million from our fund balance into the project for roughly $15 million dollars,” Danny Gillane of the Lafayette Public Library said.

Years ago, Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux fought to stash away the initial $8 million based on a vision that’s now closer to reality.

“Delayed but not denied, regardless of how it took, we got there. We are where we need to be,” Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux explained.  

Dustin Cravings is the president of Holy Rosary Redevelopment. “In addition to the library, as Senator Boudreaux alluded to, there’s another big project we hope to announce pretty soon in partnership with LEDA and a business incubator there as well that would serve that community,” Cravins noted.

Boulet said final approval still requires action by the parish council.

“Let’s talk about the neighborhood right down the street where the kids can walk from Veazey. This library is very important to our community and we’re thankful to all the people up here, and all you guys out there who played a role in making this happen,” Councilman AB Rubin, Jr. stated.

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