Tuesday night’s unveiling of plans for five economic/cultural development projects scattered across Acadia Parish was described as a “commencement.”
“That’s a good word to use at this time of year,” said Laurie Suire, who spearheaded the Creative Placemaking Initiative and continued to coordinate efforts even long after she left her position with a parish business cooperative for a post with United Way of Acadiana.
“This is not the end, but the beginning of what Acadia Parish will look like resulting from the series of charrettes held last August,” she said.
These visioning sessions were held in each of five areas of the parish — Crowley, Rayne, Church Point, Iota and the Fifth Ward.
Suire went on to explain how the initiative was begun and thanked Desirée Doucet for “stepping up” when her job duties became more and more involved.
A crowd of more than 100 turned out at the Grand Opera House for the presentation of the master plan.
Alex Holland, lead community planner, with McClure Engineering Co., the consulting firm that conducted the visioning charrettes and developed the individual plans, complimented the many parish citizens that took an active part in the project.
“People are the reason why these projects will come to life,” she said. “These ideas did not come from McClure Engineering, they came from the people of Acadia Parish.”
And she assured that, by following the guidelines set forth in the master plan, all of the initiatives are achievable.
“We would not recommend projects that are impossible to complete,” she said.
For Crowley, Holland said plans are for the establishment of “co-working” spaces and other enhancements at the Enterprise Center.
Co-working spaces are essentially shared workspaces and are becoming more and more popular among entrepreneurs, start-ups, remote workers and small business owners alike, according to Holland.
Different workspace types include private offices for up to four occupants, dedicated (permanent) desks in a shared office, and “flex desks” — a desk or tabletop in any open space.
The first floor of the “Enterprise Center 2.0” also would include classrooms for workforce training and education, a business incubator and a small café.
Plans for the second floor of the building are for the development of modern loft apartments.
Projected cost of the renovation is about $45.1 million.
“Since the building is considered ‘historical,’ it will qualify for state and federal historic tax credits, said Holland.
In Rayne, a plan to renovate and repurpose of the old Joy Theater at the corner of South Polk Street and East Texas Avenue was presented.
In addition to a refurbished theater that can be converted for live performances, along with a contemporary concession stand, the large building should be redeveloped as a multi-faceted cultural center, including at least four classrooms and two conference rooms, along with a new home for the Acadia Arts Council and an artist-in-residence art gallery, Holland said.
Projected cost is a little over $3.3 million. Holland pointed out that the theater, like the Enterprise Center in Crowley, would qualify for state and federal historic tax credits.
In Church Point limited dining options have forced many residents to leave their community regularly to eat in Lafayette or elsewhere. A former department store for clothing, the building is in excellent shape and located in prime real estate for redevelopment, Holland said.
The new restaurant should be designed as a casual, full-service eatery and taproom, combining food with a selection of alcohol selections, including popular and craft beers and cocktails.
Estimated capital start-up cost is $475,500.
The plan for Iota — establishment of a community park — “was probably the easiest,” said Holland.
“After the initial visioning session in Iota, this message could be seen on yard signs in front of homes all over town,” she said. “This isn’t the first time Iota has considered building a town park, but with overwhelming support from local residents and no central location for adults and children alike to enjoy the outdoors, the town of Iota is ready to take action.”
A well maintained, municipal-owned plot of land, centrally-located, is ideal for this type of project, Holland pointed out.
To encourage local and parish-wide residents of all ages to use the park frequently, amenities should include a walking trail, playground, splash pad, flexible sports field, outdoor exercise equipment, sitting area, concession stand and outdoor games.
Projected cost is $228,450.
In the initial visioning session, Fifth Ward residents expressed their desire to bring back Cajun dancehalls to provide adults and kids alike with local entertainment options and to help preserve their Cajun culture.
The new dancehall should be located in an existing metal warehouse off the highway in Morse for an authentic experience, according to Holland.
“To attract more local residents and tourists alike, the Fifth Ward Dancehall should also feature a speakeasy bar,” said Holland. “For those wanting to enjoy a drink and chat with friends, the speakeasy bar will offer a quieter environment with a Prohibition-era ambiance.”
Projected build-out cost for the project is $294,480.
For each project, funding sources were recommended —some private, some public and some general investment initiatives.
“It’s time to roll up your sleeves,” Holland concluded.
The focus of the the Placemaking projects now shifts to the individual areas.
“Each area has a committee that will be handling the fundraising and all other efforts from here on in,” Holland said following the presentation. “I’ll be available for questions, but, unfortunately, I won’t be down here as often as I have been to date.”
Offering comments on the master plan were representatives of the various areas, including Amy Thibodeaux from Crowley, Desirée Doucet of Rayne, Luke Dpuré of Iota, Chris Lebas of Church Point and Ethan Theriot of the Fifth Ward.
Other projects included in the master plan submitted by McClure Engineering include:
— An Acadia Talent Incentive Program (ATIP) that would not only encourage people with specific expertise to move to Acadia Parish, but also to remain in Acadia Parish;
— A regional branding and marketing program, with three suggested “logos;”
— A list of various funding opportunities for Acadia Parish to consider when raising funds to implement and operate the projects included in this action plan.
