Bordelon’s Future Is Uncertain
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The City of Opelousas is receiving a maximum of $125,000 from the Opelousas Downtown Development District in order to purchase an Opelousas landmark whose future will apparently be determined following a series of architectural and environmental studies.
ODD made the unanimous decision to move the money over to the city on Friday, after code enforcement director Lance Ned described the tenuous condition of the former Bordelon Motors dealership whose property is being adjudicated by the St. Landry Parish government.
The city already owns a building on the corner of North Main and Grolee whose roof has collapsed, in addition to the former Opelousas New Life Center, whose future has also been undecided.
The Bordelon property item was not included on the original Friday meeting agenda. However ODD voted to add the item.
Ned portrayed the 115-year-old building as a blighted property and a haven for homeless occupancy.
During his ODD presentation Ned said the brick building sitting on 1.8 acres between North Main and Union streets, should be demolished due to the potential for crime and the need for safety.
A parish letter dated April 28 indicates that city officials voted on Nov. 14, 2024 to condemn or demolish the Bordelon property.
The letter also noted that the adjudicated Bordelon parcel is owned by Cody Lanclos.
Lanclos did not attend the Friday meeting.
Ned added on Friday that apparently that efforts to remediate the Bordelon Motors building have been exhausted.
The first $80,000 of the ODD money transfer will potentially be used to pay for environmental studies which will include soil samples and other issues, Ned said.
ODD member Sarah Branton said it’s time to address whether the building, which is highly visible to downtown traffic, should remain standing or be demolished.
Branton also said the ODD should be involved in any decision made by the city in connection with the Bordelon property.
ODD chairperson Lena Charles said what to do with the building has been a concern for city officials since 2024.
At that time Charles said the ODD made it known to the city that the District will assist in efforts to address the Bordelon property issue.
“Since then the situation has just gotten worse,” Charles added.
