Coke Bottling Plant conversion spurs drive to stop self-storage in oldest parts of Lafayette

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The former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant at Sixth and Salem streets is being converted into a self-storage facility. (Photo: Dave Bangert)

When Coca-Cola announced plans to consolidate some of its bottling operations and close shop at Sixth and Salem streets, economic development and historic preservation wheels started turning about the what-ifs for the facility with the art deco design at the base of the Harrison Bridge.

“I always thought that if anything ever happened to the Coke plant, it would be so cool to do something there,” Dennis Carson, Lafayette’s economic development director, said. “Interesting building. Great location, right at the entrance to town. So much going for it.”

When the property sold in May 2021 – for just shy of $1.5 million, according to the county’s sales disclosure records – and plans by a firm called BoxIt LLC to convert the site into self-storage units, Carson called it a missed opportunity to adapt it for housing or another development fitting in with one of the oldest parts of the city.