LAFAYETTE, LA — The long-awaited Northeast Regional Library in Lafayette Parish is set to move to a new location, one with deep historical and cultural significance. Mayor-President Monique Boulet announced on Tuesday that the planned library, previously designated for a site at Shadow Bluff Drive and Louisiana Avenue, will instead be built on the campus of the former Holy Rosary Institute, pending approval by the Lafayette Parish Council.
The decision marks a major milestone in the revitalization of the north Lafayette community. Boulet revealed that Lafayette Consolidated Government has signed a letter of intent with the Society of the Holy Family, a nonprofit organization that owns the property. The agreement includes a 99-year ground lease for just $1 per year, allowing the city to proceed with planning, design, and construction of the new library.
The Holy Rosary Institute, a 40-acre campus located on Louisiana Avenue near Carmel Drive, has long been a cornerstone of Lafayette’s Black Catholic community. Once a prominent educational institution for African American students, the site holds profound cultural and historical importance, particularly in the north Lafayette area.
Dustin Cravins, director of the Holy Rosary Redevelopment project, expressed excitement about the move, calling it a “game changer” for the community. “This is an opportunity for reinvestment in a part of the city that has often felt neglected,” Cravins said. “The library is more than just a building. It is a symbol of renewal and a bridge to the future for local residents.”
The new library’s location is expected to offer better accessibility for surrounding neighborhoods, including schools such as Northside High School and the Baranco Center. Vincent Pierre, a 1983 graduate of Holy Rosary, emphasized the importance of the new site’s proximity to these landmarks. “It’s not just symbolic,” Pierre noted. “It’s about providing an opportunity for students and families who will now have easy access to the library, many of them able to walk there.”
In addition to offering a central location, the design of the new library will reflect the cultural identity of Lafayette, with a focus on natural light, open spaces, and areas conducive to both indoor and outdoor learning. Public input played a significant role in shaping the library’s design, with over 1,200 residents offering feedback on what they wanted to see in the new facility.
The Dallas-based firm 720design has been selected to lead the architectural planning for the project, which is set to begin construction in spring 2026. The library is expected to open in late 2027.
Mayor Boulet acknowledged that while the Shadow Bluff Drive site is no longer the preferred location, its future remains uncertain. “We’re still in discussions with the council about what to do with the Shadow Bluff property,” she said. “If there’s a higher use for it, we will explore that option. If not, we’ll consider putting it back on the market.”
The Lafayette Parish Council will review the proposed move in a future session, with final approval needed to move forward with the project.
As the Northeast Regional Library nears its new home, residents and community leaders alike are hopeful that the project will not only bring a valuable resource to the area but also foster a renewed sense of pride and opportunity for north Lafayette.