After a mostly dismal fall 2012, the Lafayette arts and entertainment scene received a huge boost on Friday: FoamCity is back, all legit-like.

The downtown Lafayette arts space at 409 N. Third Street was shut down to public events in October but after a few improvements to bring FoamCity up to code, the arts scene just got back one of its most interesting venues back.

While it was closed, artists and musicians still used FoamCity for studio space and some workshops, but now, rock shows and art installations can be frequented by the public once again.

Before the closure, FoamCity had some of the top arts events in the city. It gave artists more on the edge a place to show work that goes beyond the traditional gallery setting. Performance art and interactive installations were more the norm at FoamCity. However, live music was a little bit less consistent; there were some amazing performances while other shows started literally hours later than what was advertised — if the show was advertised. Some shows were packed while others drew single digits. Of course, promoting these shows were tricky at the time.

Now, there is less worry of authority figures shutting things down. I hope this brings better promotion for FoamCity events.

Less than two days after the announcement of FoamCity obtaining its certificate of occupancy, the local improvisational music and dance group E3 is already advertising its FoamCity return for 8 p.m. Feb. 9. I expect many more such announcements in the next couple weeks.

The Lafayette arts scene has been needing a boost lately, and FoamCity back and better and more legal than ever is the best news so far in 2013.