ODD: Parks, Downtown, Southside
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Although no official action was taken, there was plenty of discussion at the monthly Opelousas Downtown Development District meeting Friday morning about the economic and developmental progress for three major Opelousas geographic areas.
The appointed ODD members heard a progress report from city code enforcement director Lance Ned who updated issues connected with downtown revitalization, while Marcus Bruno, representing M&M Associates, answered questions about the progress of the Community Center in South City Park.
ODD member Rob Hilliard discussed potential residential expansion south of Opelousas, while Opelousas Parks and Recreation Director Chris Rideau explained the function and composition for the Parks And Recreation Commission.
The Downtown Area
Ned admitted he’s discouraged about the progress for reshaping the downtown area.
The city has collected $8,250 in registration fees this year from downtown property owners in order to have their buildings inspected in order to bring them into compliance with a downtown ordinance, Ned told the ODD.
Some of the buildings downtown, Ned noted, will be difficult to rehabilitate, while others whose owners fail to pay taxes, will receive lien notices and eventually be adjudicated to the city, said Ned.
A brick building on the corner of Grolee and Main that was donated to the city several years ago, will probably have to be demolished due to its condition, Ned pointed out.
Ned said the building should be torn down in order to indicate that the city is attempting to do something in regards to the downtown area.
Community Center
Bruno told the ODD that steel that comprises the pre-fabricated LA Connect/South Park Community Center building is being processed and should be ready for shipping by June.
Located on the South Park boulevard, the building, which apparently is being constructed and shaped into panels, should be framed and assembled starting in July, Bruno said.
Bruno said the demolition costs for the former South Park poolhouse and the material that is being used to fill the former pool, is included in the $4.6 million project cost.
Residential Expansion
Hilliard, who is employed professionally as a realtor, said there could be an increase in residential housing projects for areas that include Interstate 49 and Guilbeau Road, which connects the interstate and La. 182 south of Opelousas.
The proposed housing expansions, which have not been presented to either the St. Landry Parish Council or Opelousas Board of Aldermen, will be adjacent to the current Crowne Park development, Hilliard said.
A projected housing market around the Louisiana Equine and Events Center on Guilbeau Road is becoming attractive, Hilliard said, because potential home owners are attracted to the lower cost of housing and property taxes in St. Landry compared to the Lafayette Parish market.
Prospective home buyers apparently don’t mind working in Lafayette and commuting from Opelousas, said Hilliard.
Parks And Recreation
Rideau said the Commission, whose seven members were approved earlier this month during a Board of Aldermen meeting, are scheduled to begin meeting perhaps in June.
Each member of the Board appointed a Commission member, while Mayor Julius Alsandor selected the commission chairman.
Normally Commission meetings will be held at the South Park Teen Center on the last Thursday of each month.
Rideau said the Commission will serve as an advisory board.
