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Lafayette Downtown Development Authority

ABOUT THE DDA

Who We Are

The Lafayette Downtown Development Authority (DDA) works to enhance and preserve Old Town Lafayette as a vibrant and welcoming downtown for small businesses and community connections. Established in 2025 with voter support, the DDA is a collaborative, quasi-governmental organization focused on strategic improvements that benefit small businesses, residents, and visitors.

Guided by the Old Town Tomorrow: Action Plan—our official Plan of Development—the DDA invests in projects and partnerships that reflect Old Town’s creative, eclectic character and strengthen its role as a community hub. We coordinate closely with small business owners, property owners, community groups, and the City of Lafayette to support long-term planning and district-wide improvements.

How We’re Funded

The DDA is funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which reinvests a portion of property and sales taxes generated within district boundaries. This model does not create new taxes or increase existing ones. Instead, it directs a share of future revenue growth back into Old Town to support public improvements, business assistance programs, and infrastructure projects that benefit the district.

Our Priorities

The DDA’s work aligns with six key priorities outlined in the Old Town Tomorrow: Action Plan. These priorities guide how we plan, invest, and improve the district.

Small Business Support & Retention

Support existing businesses to thrive long term, recruit locally owned businesses, and activate vacant storefronts and underutilized sites through business assistance, incentives, tenant recruitment, and partnerships.

Land Use & Character

Preserve Old Town’s unique character while activating the central business district through reuse of existing buildings, appropriate redevelopment, and thoughtful, context-sensitive infill.

Marketing & Activation

Support Old Town businesses by promoting a welcoming downtown through district branding, events and programming, and collaborative storytelling.

Connectivity & Infrastructure

Create a safe, comfortable, and accessible multimodal experience by advancing pedestrian and bicycle improvements, wayfinding, lighting, and streetscape enhancements.

Public Space & Placekeeping

Enhance and create public gathering spaces through placekeeping efforts such as streetscape design, alley activation, public art, seating, and flexible community spaces.

Creativity & Culture

Celebrate Old Town’s creative, eclectic, and diverse identity by supporting artists and cultural organizations, encouraging creative expression in public spaces, and fostering an inclusive downtown.

Grants & Resources

The DDA offers grant programs and resources that help businesses and properties improve their spaces, engage the community, and contribute to a dynamic downtown. Current offerings include:

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Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) Program

Matching grant that provides up to $25,000 for interior and exterior capital improvements, including building facades, accessibility upgrades, environmental remediation, energy-efficiency improvements, and streetscape or infrastructure upgrades. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.

DIG GuidelinesDIG Guidelines (Español)Apply

Creativity & Culture Microgrant (CCM) Program

A microgrant program ranging from $500–$2,500 that supports projects celebrating and strengthening the cultural and creative vibrancy of downtown. Eligible project types include public art, festivals, workshops, activations, and other community-based programs. The 2026 application window closes on February 14, 2026.

CCM GuidelinesCCM Guidelines (Español)Apply

Downtown Marketing

Support for coordinated marketing efforts that highlight Old Town’s businesses, events, and unique character. The DDA helps share the stories behind the places, people, and experiences that make downtown a destination.

Meeting Agenda & Minutes

The DDA Board of Directors meets monthly at Lafayette City Hall and is committed to open and transparent decision-making. View the agendas and minutes below for meeting details, including information on the upcoming meeting.

View Meeting Agenda & Minutes

Annual Report

The DDA publishes an annual report that highlights key accomplishments from the past year and outlines priorities and initiatives planned for the year ahead.

View The Report

THE DDA DISTRICT

The DDA District includes properties located within the Old Town Commercial zoning area. It spans the south side of Baseline Road from U.S. 287 to just east of Gough Avenue, Public Road from Baseline Road to South Boulder Road, and Simpson Street from Public Road to Michigan Avenue. To explore specific areas or properties within the district, take a look at the DDA District Map below.

View the Map

Meet the DDA Board

The DDA Board of Directors is composed of seven district members who share a passion for preserving and enhancing Old Town as Lafayette’s downtown. Together, the Board provides direction, oversight, and vision to ensure that downtown continues to thrive as a place to do business, gather as a community, and celebrate Lafayette’s unique character.

Joanna Cagan — Chair

Executive Director, WOW! Children’s Museum

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

I’m a walker, and Old Town is such fun for leisurely exploring, so I love to get a strong take – out coffee, meander up and down Public Road – dip into retail shops and galleries, check out the public art installations – and then peek at the old homes and gardens on side streets as I go.

Faith Rodgers — Vice Chair

Owner, The Little Herbal Apothecary

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

A perfect day for me in Lafayette includes a walk around Waneka Lake with my family, tea and a good book from the Read Queen, and an afternoon wandering through the Lafayette Flea looking for treasures.

Tim Barnes

Lafayette City Council Member


Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

Eat at one of the many restaurants.

Tom Hardie

Owner, Confluence Small Business Collective

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

Tour Public Road and East Simpson Street in October to see all of the window painting contest entries.

Ty Hubbard

Owner, East Simpson Coffee Company

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

Nothing like strolling through Old Town, running into all of your neighbors along the way.

Genae Lako

Owner, Public Wine

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

Walk with my partner, Doug, and snag a seat for dinner at the Community Supperclub bar top after our Public Wine tastings on Thursday. The food is always amazing and the sense of camaraderie with the staff is always a great end to a busy day!

Ian Munding

Owner, Lafayette Lumberyards

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

To introduce friends and family to its unique businesses, locations, and art installations - especially when they’re visiting for the first time.

Brigid Keating — Executive Director

Staff, Lafayette Downtown Development Authority

Favorite thing to do in Old Town:

Cruise Simpson Street with my two-year-old son on his strider bike.