After the partial collapse of the historic Coburn’s building in downtown Lafayette in May, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority (LPTFA), and Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) are announcing a coordinated remediation plan designed to eliminate ongoing safety concerns and facilitate the reopening of Second Street.
The Coburn’s building experienced a structural failure that resulted in the collapse of a portion of the building and the subsequent closure of Second Street, a key corridor leading into downtown Lafayette, according to DOTD. Since the incident, DOTD, LPTFA, LCG, engineers, and contractors have worked together to assess the site and determine the safest and most effective path forward.
LPTFA Board of Trustees has directed staff to proceed with the demolition of the remaining three walls of the two-story section of the structure, subject to necessary state review and approvals. This approach will expediently eliminate any remaining public safety risks associated with the damaged portion of the building and allow for the reopening of Second Street as quickly as possible…