BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
While some elected city officials appear determined to knock down vacant buildings in the Opelousas downtown commercial area, it appears there is funding available for rehabilitating structures that migh otherwise be considered derelict.
Mayor Julius Alasandor has agreed to listen to a proposed presentation from several architects that details a method of obtaining tax credits for owners who want to purchase historic properties and eventually refurbish them.
Historic architect Stephen Ortego introduced the Board of Aldermen to the tax credit concept Tuesday night during a regular monthly meeting.
The presentation by Ortego, a former state representative, was brief, but during his five-minute appearance, Ortego outlined the tax credit concept which cancels 35 percent of the expenses for reclamation projects.
Owners and developers, Ortego said, can also sell their tax credits for even more profit.
“You can sell these tax credits as a way of lowering your notes for projects. Tax credits are a major tool that is used to develop properties,” Ortego pointed out.
Opelousas, Ortego said, is an historic city surrounded by two towns, Washington and Grand Coteau, that have buildings that have been restored using the tax credit system.
Ortego said it will probably take at least one major project supported by tax credits to trigger development and investment in the downtown area that includes multiple historic properties.
The city, Ortego said, is in the process of identifying buildings that are candidates which could eventually be included in a National Historic District area.
Rod Sias, a landscape architecture graduate, said the tax credit concept is something city officials have not discussed as they continue discussing potential downtown building demolitions.
“It’s possible to renovate rather than looking at tearing down these historical buildings. They can be a revenue source. These buildings are irreplaceable,” said Sias who this year obtained a rural funding grant to help reconstruct Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki north of Opelousas.
Sias said it’s evident the city has no plan for restoring any buildings.
Larry Caillier questioned why city officials are anxious to demolish buildings and the strategy that drives that thinking.
“If you destroy these buildings, you still have an empty lot. What people are we using to determine the destruction?” Caillier said.
Ortego, who recently restored a 19th century former Washington general store landmark, said he became concerned about the possibility that several Opelousas downtown buildings were under consideration for demolition by the Board.
Ortego explained that, “If you tear down your buildings, you tear down the wealth of your city.
The agenda item which launched the tax credit discussion appeared when the Board was presented with another decision that proposes demolishing a 19th century building on the corner of Grolee and Main streets.
It was an agenda action item for a fourth straight month.
Code enforcement director Lance Ned has recommended since March that the building should be torn down, since he said it is uninhabitable due to a collapsed roof.
No potential developers or investors have indicated that they plan to refurbish the building.
Ortego said the structural integrity of the building is fine.
Ned said on Tuesday night that the Board should arrive at a final decision on the building, but he will defer to their vote on the matter.
“If you want it to sit for another year, then so be it,” Ned added.
