On Tuesday night the Lafayette City-Parish Council passed an ordinance giving City-Parish President Joey Durel the go ahead to negotiate the sale of the Lesspay Motel property located at the intersection of University Avenue and Cameron street.
The property would be used for a police substation which was declared a public necessity by the ordinance passed last night. One local business is reacting to the news.
Piggly Wiggly, located at the intersection of University Avenue and Cameron street has a security guard on duty from the time the store opens until it closes. Lesspay Motel, right across the street has long been associated with crime including prostitution and drugs. Marvin Broussard, Manager of Piggly Wiggly has seen it all at his store.
He says, “School busses drop kids off in the parking lot and right where parents are waiting for their kids there’s a drug deal going on right there.”
Lesspay Motel doesn’t just bring trouble to the area, it shows up at the front door of Piggly Wiggly. He mentions that he has walked up to the front door of the store a couple of times and has noticed the glass wasn’t there because of people breaking into the store then leaving. Broussard said he was ecstatic to hear the Lesspay Motel will be replaced with a police substation.
Jonathan Faulk, an eight year employee at Piggly Wiggly, has lived in Lafayette all his life.
Faulk says, “I grew up in Lafayette Louisiana and I’ve always heard about the four corners area and crime rate and everything that’s going on in the area.”
Knowing the motel’s reputation, Faulk says a police substation would make the area more safe and inviting for customers and bring security to those who were skeptical about the safety and traffic at night. Faulk also mentions that maybe this new change will bring new customers.
If the sale of the Lesspay Motel can be negotiated, the Lafayette City-Parish Council will vote on whether or not the property will be purchased or taken if negotiations fail.