University of Louisiana president Joseph Savoie, is one of six recipients of the inaugural Mayor-President’s Front Yard Award.

City-Parish President Joey Durel presented the award Tuesday at IBERIABANK.

The company hosted an awards ceremony to support Project Front Yard, which is intended to clean up and beautify Lafayette.

It’s a multi-year effort that involves government, education, businesses and local news media.

Project Front Yard initiatives include revitalization of gateways, improved streetscapes, litter removal, public art, and cleaning up the Vermilion River.

Savoie was cited for his leadership in beautifying the University’s campus. Other recipients were:

• Jan and Charlie Wyatt, for their leadership in focusing community attention on the Vermilion River and establishing the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association;

• Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, for its investment in public art;

• Better Block Cameron, for its efforts on July 19 to temporarily upgrade a section of Cameron Street by improving pedestrian and bike access and promoting a neighborhood business environment;

• Caitlin Sonnier, for her commitment to the environment through her work as the “Eco Cajun”; and

• River Ranch Development, for its development of neighborhoods.

“We have said from the beginning that this effort has to be multi-faceted. One facet has to be celebrating the community members who are doing the right thing, and that is why, with IBERIABANK’s help, we put tonight together,” Durel said Tuesday.


Louisiana.edu