LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)- The parish-owned Buchanan Parking Garage was condemned months ago because engineers deemed it unsafe. 

Anita Begnaud, Downtown Development Authority’s new CEO, said what to do with the deteriorating garage should be taken on as a chance for new, long-term opportunities.  

Some options for the Lafayette City-Parish Mayor Joel Robideaux said his administration may be looking at a few different options. 

 

“We can partner with a third party or have a private donors help with funding,” Robideaux said. 

 

The vision for the building is not to just build a new parking garage, but think out of the box on what will be suit the city for years to come.

 

Begnaud said a mixed-use option may be the part of the future plan. 

 

Robideaux said repairing the garage would cost about $4 million. Building a new one could cost around $8 million. 

 

“We need to get the garage back into use as soon as possible,” Robideaux said. 

 

Robideaux said he hopes to have a request for proposal drafted by the end of January.