The Opelousas community has spoken, and their input is being revealed in an upcoming third community input event.
What should be done to revitalize the heart of one of Louisiana’s most historic communities? It’s a question that has been asked in Opelousas for more than a decade, with the help of the people of the town and their neighbors, we are finally getting answers.
The community is again invited to help shape the future of the heart of Opelousas at a public meeting in the Opelousas courthouse square on Saturday, February 27th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Downtown Development District in partnership with the City of Opelousas, is the 3rd public input event in a series of events that support the development of a master plan to revitalize the center of the city.
Guided by the Baton Rouge-based Center for Planning Excellence, this event will feature maps and displays of focused downtown areas, participants will be able to identify where they would like to see improvements while also giving comments on the specific types of improvements they hope for.
“We need your ideas for the future of the downtown to ensure that the plan reflects community wishes and preferences,” said Lena Charles, who chairs the district’s board. “We want to hear the specific improvements you want to see, but also your ideas about the general principles that should guide us as we develop a strategy for the downtown.”
Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor also urged members of the community to make their views known and expressed his support for the board’s work.
“I am pleased and optimistic over the potential for growth and development that can be realized through the partnership of the city and the development authority,” he said. “The strength of that partnership will come from support and participation from the whole community. It is your community and your ideas are important.”
