Lafayette Horse Farm Up For Lease

The Lafayette City Council has an agenda item on this week's roster that includes leasing the former University of Louisiana at Lafayette Horse Farm.

The lease would be to a nonprofit foundation who would be responsible for planning, fundraising and maintenance of that property into a public park on Johnston Street.

If the council approves the measure, then City-Parish President Joey Durel would be given the authority to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement with Lafayette Central Park Inc., a nonprofit created by the Community Foundation of Acadiana for the purpose of turning the Horse Farm into a park.

The city advertised for bids for the project, and the Lafayette Central Park Inc. was the only group to submit a proposal for the project.

As part of the deal, Lafayette Central Park Inc. would be responsible for at least $6.8 million in improvements at property.