Candace BarnetteThe site of a long-abandoned cannery in Lafayette, Louisiana, will soon be reimagined as a 125-acre mixed-use, community-focused destination along the Vermillion River.
The Trappey Cannery, located in the Trappey Economic Development District, was established on an 8-acre site in 1921. The facility was instrumental in WWII efforts, producing more than12 million pounds of canned candied yams for Allied forces.
In 2021, the plant was purchased—30 years after its closure — with the plan to redevelop the area into the Trappey Riverfront District. Lafayette’s master plan envisions a pedestrian-friendly riverfront with more than 1,600 feet of publicly accessible green space.
Within the 125-acre plan, 22 acres are designated for mixed-use development, including residential, commercial and hospitality spaces. The development includes:
- 775,000 square feet of apartments.
- 170,700 square feet of hotels.
- 133,400 square feet of offices.
- 150,900 square feet of shops and restaurants.
- A 21,500-square-foot marketplace with 1,760 parking spaces.
The remaining acreage incorporates a renovation of surrounding public amenities, including Beaver Park, Heymann Park and Lil’ Woods Playground. Two bridges will link Beaver Park and Vermilionville, with walking corridors, social gathering spaces and water recreation launch points. Bicycle infrastructure and walkable paths are meant to foster connections between eastern and western neighborhoods.
The Trappey Riverfront District Plan honors Lafayette’s rich cultural heritage through thoughtful design. Two main circulation corridors serve as the community’s backbone, while the street layout extends traditional parade routes through the waterfront, connecting neighboring areas and ensuring the city’s traditions are celebrated and accessible to all.
The first phase of construction plans for substantial infrastructure upgrades through a $151 million capital investment. Financial backing draws from private capital, preservation tax incentives and public resources, including $15 million in secured tax credits and $10 million in state grants.
The project is planned across three phases of construction, but no explicit timeline has been announced.
The redevelopment plan received the 2024 Congress for the New Urbanism Merit Award for an Emerging Project, acknowledging its innovative approach to urban redevelopment.
Photo Courtesy Louisiana Sea Grant by Wikimedia Commons
