Over $100 million invested in Lafayette north side redevelopment projects

Lafayette's north side is undergoing significant redevelopment with more than $100 million in combined public and private investments, according to talkradio960.com and 973thedawg.com. The City Council, acting as the Northway Economic Development District board, agreed in principle to contribute up to $1.25 million toward redeveloping the former Northgate Mall on Evangeline Thruway, pending final approval.

The redevelopment of the mall, now renamed The Hub, is led by businessman Jacoby Landry, who purchased the 20.8-acre property in June 2025 for $2.8 million. Landry plans a total investment of approximately $50.9 million across eight phases. The mall has seen increased occupancy and rent revenue, with tenant numbers growing from 14 to 36 and monthly rent rising from $15,000 to $60,000 as of July. A health club with 950 members anchors the property.

In addition to the mall project, the Lafayette school board broke ground on a new Paul Breaux K-8 campus adjacent to J.W. Faulk Elementary. The school will serve up to 1,200 students and aims to open in January 2028. The project cost estimates vary, with a bond sale of nearly $50 million supporting funding and a guaranteed maximum construction price set at about $37.7 million.

The Northway Economic Development District is also funding other initiatives, including street projects and the upcoming Norman C. Francis Library, a roughly 20,500-square-foot branch. The district's funding comes from a 1% sales tax and a 2% hotel occupancy tax, with about $2.29 million held as of May 31. A restorative tax abatement was approved earlier this year to freeze property tax bills for five years in the district.

One notable project, the rebuilding of Northside High School, remains without a funded construction plan. Meanwhile, some redevelopment efforts are already underway, contributing to the broader revitalization of Lafayette's north side.