The Board of Directors of the Opelousas Main Street, Inc, organization met last evening (October 5, 2023) at the Tourism/Main Street office in Le Vieux Village. Board president Gretchen Erlingson opened the meeting and thanked the board members and others for attending.
The board discussed plans for upcoming projects and events in the Opelousas downtown area including those planned for the 2023 holiday season. Main Street manager Melanie Lee LeBeouf reported she is working with the organization committee to get the annual Christmas ornament ordered.
Another holiday project discussed was the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square lighting and the unveiling of the Nativity Scene on the square. Sponsored by the Walking Ladies of Opelousas, Main Street will assist with the event. Promotion Committee chairperson Robbie Sebastien reported his committee will be meeting soon to help finalize plans for the event scheduled for Saturday. November 25th this year. The board discussed getting more Opelousas organizations and especially downtown businesses involved in some way.
The Design Committee reported on the work being done on the development of a pocket park on the corner of Court and South streets. Main Street president Gretchen Erlingson reported plans are now being reviewed and members of the design team will soon meet with the park consultant to move the project forward. More information on this project, including funding, will be presented at the next board meeting. Also, the design committee reported on the meeting of the Opelousas Historic District Commission held the previous week.
The board had a discussion on a proposal by the Economic Vitality Committee regarding Main Street’s involvement in the renovation of one of the historic buildings in downtown Opelousas. The goal of this project would be to get the building completed and put into commerce. The board decided it needed more information before this proposed project could be approved and moved forward. The discussion on the building renovation proposal will be continued at the next meeting after additional research is done.
It was reported that in the spirit of cooperation, the minutes of the Main Street Board will be shared with other groups working on Opelousas projects. Other groups will also share their minutes with the Main Street organization.
The Main Street Board members were asked to complete a Service Commitment Pledge document and turn it into the president by the next meeting.
Officers from the Board of Directors were elected for the coming year as follows: Board Chairman: Gretchen Erlingson; Vice-chairman: Carola Hartley; Treasurer: Wanda Juneau. The Secretary will be elected at the next meeting of the board of directors scheduled for Thursday, November 2, 2023.
Having no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
