Downtown Lafayette will soon be welcoming a new structure off of Jefferson and Cypress Street.

By the end of August and Early September, the new sign will be lit up in neon saying ‘DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE’.

The guys that brought you the ever changing Lafayette monument in Park San Succi,  are now introducing a huge welcome sign into the downtown area

This structure will be visible from the Evangeline Thruway. The test run was held to see if all the pieces fit, earlier Thursday.

Scott Hebert, who is a Civil Engineer and the Operations Manager, says in order to make sure it fits properly and that it can hold the neon with the given wind loads,

“We have to make sure it can bolt together rather easily on site.”

Geoff Dyer, the Director of Design for the Downtown Development Authority says it is a huge step to get the structural components and to test it out.

Dyer says “once we know everything fits, well be ready to go hard on the rest of it.”

The structure’s ‘dry fit’ was a success. This sign has been in the making since February.

It stands over 20 feet tall and 34 feet wide, from pole to pole. Once complete, it will light up the entrance of downtown at night.

Dyer says the design will be “very Acadiana.”

The structure will be lit up in white neon lights and will display a taste of South Louisiana.

It will have the Acadiana Star, Fleur De Lis and also feature back lit panels at the bases that feature event banners or rotating artwork.

It will definitely fit into Acadiana downtown artsy scene.

When set and done, the structure will be able to withstand any weather events.

Downtown locals are excited about the new gateway sign.

Downtown resident, Kristina Ostrom thinks the community is really going to enjoy coming and looking at this sign. “It’s just gonna bring everyone together”, says Ostrom.

Talks of future projects include making a gateway sign in for downtown Lafayette in French to keep the culture alive.