In the News

President Joseph Biden signed the Save the Liberty Theatre Act allowing the transfer of the building’s annex ownership from the National Park Service to the city.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., announced the signing on Tuesday.

Kennedy introduced the legislation in the Senate and U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, guided it through the House.
“I’m grateful that we could finally get through a bureaucratic roadblock which has been blocking the restoration of the historic Liberty Theatre. The people of Eunice are finally free to start bringing the Liberty Theatre back to life,” Kennedy said.

The National Park Service owned a section of the Liberty Theatre that provides a handicap accessible entrance, but this ownership interest in the property has been hindering efforts to restore the theater. The Save the Liberty Theatre Act grants Eunice full ownership of the theater property so that the city can begin restoration efforts.

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard said the parish has dedicated $500,000 in American Rescue Act money to the renovation of the theater. The City of Eunice also has dedicated $500,000 of Rescue Act money for the renovation of the theater.

Bellard said an additional $1 million has been donated for the restoration estimated to cost about $2 million.

The Park Service’s Prairie Cultural Center also has been closed due to needed repairs.

Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said the Park Service is planning to reopen the center this summer.

A portion of the Liberty is owned by Paul Feavel and his wife Jean Johnson. They purchased the private side of the building on Jan. 15, 2014.

The Association for the Liberty Theater of Eunice has been formed as a not-for-profit community organization, with a 55-year lease with the City of Eunice. Its purpose is to restore, renovate and open the Liberty, and to identify the needs of the building and goals for the future.

The plan is to have a grand re-opening in 2024.

The Association’s Board includes Joel Savoy, president; and members, Pat Dossman, Paul Feavel, Herman Fuselier, Celeste Gomez, Laura Pitre and Charles Seale.