Headline: City Official Discusses ODD Boundaries
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
An Opelousas alderwoman says she would like to see the north side of the city receive more funding for Opelousas Downtown Development capital outlay projects that are being planned on the opposite end of town.
Alderwoman Delita Rubin Broussard asked ODD members last week to consider expanding the boundaries of the District in order to support ODD capital outlay projects similar to those being implemented at South City Park.
The ODD is supplying the significant funding for a Phase 1 Donald Gardner Stadium project by bonding $6.5 million from sales tax revenues and proposing to spend another $2.98 million for a new civic center building on South Park property.
Broussard, who spoke at the monthly ODD meeting, asked ODD members to consider including North City Park in future capital outlay plans.
“I’m not against anything that is going to the South Park. I’m just asking if it is possible to have the North Park included in the future,” Broussard told the ODD.
Two years ago Broussard asked the city administration to help fund a walking trail at North City Park, similar to one that was created five years ago at South City Park.
Last year the city indicated that there was not enough municipal funding available to help supplement a possible federal parks program grant to that would help provide the bulk of the revenues for the proposed North City Park walking trail.
ODD chairperson Lena Charles told Broussard that at this point the ODD cannot facilitate any proposals for North City Park or any other projects that are located outside the ODD district boundaries.
The ODD, which was created by a state legislative act, has defined boundaries in which sales tax proceeds are used, Charles explained.
Charles added that the two major projects scheduled for South City Park are actually city projects that are being assisted by ODD funding.
In recent years the ODD, with assistance from CLECO and city officials, have improved street lighting in areas included in the ODD district. Businesses in the downtown area have benefitted from building improvement grants and an ODD sidewalk project was completed last year in the courthouse area along Landry Street.
Broussard said residents living on the north end would like to eventually be included in ODD projects that she said would help elevate the quality of life on that side of the city.
Charles said ODD officials are conscious of the blighted areas of Opelousas, including parts of the west end of Opelousas.
Opelousas contractor James Bellard, who also spoke at the meeting, said Opelousas demographics indicate the city is comprised of 85 percent Black residents, who are spending money at stores located inside he special taxing district that provide ODD funding.
Bellard added that he feels local contractors are being ignored when it comes to ODD-funded projects.
North City Park Bellard added, has the necessary acreage to sustain capital outlay projects similar to the ones being planned at South City Park.
Steve Picou, who also attended the ODD meeting, said ODD officials have the authoirty to alter the boundaries of the district.
“You (the ODD) have that power to add the North Park. It has more land than the South Park. Everyone who shops in this area, goes to those big box stores that fund (the ODD). We are paying those taxes,” Picou said.
