Photograph: The Dardeau Building, constructed in 1903, located on the corner of Court and North streets in downtown Opelousas is one of the abandoned buildings. The structure hosted many different businesses during its existence including the Majestic Hotel that operated there during the 1930s and 1940s. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin)
Carola Lillie Hartley
Publisher and Contributing Writer
With a vote of four to one, the Abandoned Building Ordinance was passed by the Opelousas City Council last night. The ordinance was the same one that the council rejected at the January meeting. It was reintroduced in February and following an amendment added during the meeting last evening, was finally approved.
Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor responded to the passage of the ordinance saying: “it’s been a long time coming but finally we have addressed an obstacle that has hindered our downtown development for too long. As of today, we have an ordinance in place that will assist in moving the revitalization of historic downtown Opelousas forward. All of us in Opelousas will benefit from this ordinance including the building owners who also want to see those buildings they own put into commerce. It’s a win-win situation.” He added, “When we work together for those we represent, the outcome has long lasting positive impact.”
According to the Mayor there were several groups and people who played a role in passing this ordinance. “I want to thank the City Council for their vote to move this forward, but also thank the Opelousas Downtown Development District, the Opelousas Main Street organization, the Opelousas Historic District Commission, the City of Opelousas Code Enforcement, and the many who have played a significant role in the development and passage of this Abandoned Building Ordinance.”
Lena Charles with the Opelousas Downtown Development District worked for several months with others on the Abandoned Building Ordinance. Following the vote and passage of the ordinance, she said she was very pleased with the outcome of the council’s vote. “We got it done,” she said. She also thanked the council for passing the ordinance and thanks all those who helped to get it passed.
“I also want to thank the ODDD Board members who worked all together to get this done,” Charles said. “We also want to thank City of Opelousas Code Enforcement for all their help.”
“There were so many other people,” Charles said, “who spoke and voiced their support. And, as well, there are some who voiced their concerns. We tried to reach out to, and work with everyone on this. This is just the beginning since it will take 18 months to get everything in place.”
Charles ended by saying, “This ordinance is the key to the revitalization and transformation of downtown Opelousas.”
Melanie Lee-Lebouef, Director of Main Street Opelousas and City of Opelousas Tourism, said: “It’s a new chapter for downtown as the City Council took a forward step in approving the ordinance. Our Main Street and Historic Districts really have some great buildings but those buildings with long term vacancies don’t benefit a city or property owners for that matter. It’s our hope that we will soon see fewer empty buildings in the district and more development.”
Lee-Lebouef added: “Two grant programs that commercial property owners may benefit from are the annual Main Street Redevelopment Grant and the local Building Improvement Grant. These grants provide matching funding for building rehabilitation and improvements.”
Jonathan Sebastien, the chairperson of the Opelousas Historic District Commission, also commented on the passage of the Abandoned Building Ordinance. “That’s wonderful,” he said. “It’s taken a long time but it’s a giant step for Opelousas. It will help to move the renaissance of historic downtown Opelousas forward.“
Bill Rodier, Executive Director of St. Landry Parish Economic Development is also pleased with the passing of the Abandoned Building Ordinance. “It’s my hope, Rodier said, “that this ordinance will be at least part of the solution in getting these buildings back into commerce in downtown Opelousas.”
St. Landry Now will have more on the passage of the Opelousas Abandoned Building ordinance in an upcoming article.
