Over 1,200 delegates assembled in the Lake Charles Convention Center for LMA’s 81st annual convention August 2, 2018 Natchitoch was was among 10 Louisiana municipal governments that took home Community Achievement Awards, the Louisiana Municipal Association’s most prestigious award for outstanding municipal improvements and accomplishments. The City took home its award for its Rue Beauport Redevelopment, “Where New Meets Old.”
The project was built by Pat Williams Construction with the parent office in Leesville but with offices in Lake Charles and several other cities. The City started the planning 20 years ago with a master plan.
First phase: Roque House Gardens.
Second phase: Beau Jardin bridal venue
Third phase: Rue Beauport redevelopment project
The benefits are a huge economic stimulus in that the City will be in a position to handle many new and different events that the old venue simply would not accommodate. That was immediately evident with the start of the 2017 Christmas season.
Crowds are not concentrated in the immediate area of the amphitheater but are spread out throughout the entire riverbank area. The new bathroom facility at the South end of the riverbank was needed as much as anything so visitors won’t have to go to the top bank for restroom access. Electrical and sound upgrades are not as evident but now all are state of the art.
The City is receiving constant requests for use of Rue Beauport. A new set of policies and procedures are being finalized that are now required to control and assist the many new uses that are coming forward. The City expects this to continue and grow more in future years.
The LMA’s annual awards program recognizes municipalities for outstanding achievement in basic services, community development, and economic development. Within these categories, awards are presented in four population subcategories.
SEE CITY’S SUBMISSION ATTACHED BELOW
“The Community Achievement Awards show that these municipalities have put a lot of hard work and dedication into bettering their communities,” said Mayor Lawrence Henagan (DeQuincy), LMA Immediate Past President. “I commend the winners on their foresight and vision. The competition through the years has really gotten pretty tough and this is a nice reward for hard work.”
Entries submitted were judged by a committee of judges from Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, Capital Region Planning Commission, the Louisiana Main Street, and the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall.
“The Community Achievement Awards mean a lot to the cities,” said John Gallagher, LMA Executive Director. “Many folks, when they develop their projects, do so with the idea of entering it into the Community Achievement Awards competition, so there is a lot of thought that goes into the development of projects with the hope of being recognized by the LMA. It’s like the Academy Award for Louisiana municipalities. These folks are very proud and we’re proud to recognize their efforts.”
