City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

For Immediate Release:  

For Further Information Contact         Lori Marinovich, 491-1429

At a press conference held on Friday, July 9, 2010 at City Hall, the City of Lake Charles presented an overview of the Lakefront Downtown Action Plan (LDAP) 2010 capital projects - their descriptions and schedules to be advertised for receipt of bids in 2010. 

The Lakefront Downtown Action Plan (LDAP) 2010 Master Project List includes: Bord Du Lac Park, Phase 1 - Maintenance Building; Pithon Coulee Surge Protection Improvements at Clarence Street; Ryan Streetscape; Bord du Lac Park, Phase 2 - Gateway and Playground; Bord du Lac Park, Phase 3 - Amphitheatre; and Gill Street Extension.  The architect for the projects is Randy M. Goodloe, AIA APAC, and the engineer is D.W. Jessen & Associates.

Bord du Lac Park Phase 1 - Maintenance Building:   

The Maintenance Building will be an indoor, secure storage, comfort station and outdoor yard to house equipment for the maintenance needs of the lakefront district.  The available funding for construction is $400,000.  The advertisement date is June 21, 2010; the notice to proceed estimated date is September 2010; and the estimated date of completion is June 2011.

Pithon Coulee Surge Protection Improvements at Clarence Street:

This project will include enhancements for surge protection levee installation at the southwest corner of Bord du Lac Drive & Lakeshore Drive. The surge levee will connect the elevation 10 feet with the control structure and existing park elevation to mitigate surge from the watershed protected by the control structure.  It will be completed by landscaping and amenities as in the Lakefront Promenade.  The available funding for construction is $685,000.  Funding sources are: Capital Project 3093: $300,000; Capital Project: $200,000 and Gravity Drainage District: $180,000.  The advertisement date is June 25, 2010; the notice to proceed estimated date is September 2010; and the estimated date for completion is April 2011.

Ryan Streetscape: 

This project will concentrate on the enhancement of the streetscape by providing improvements consisting of special paving, overhead lighting by decorative lamp posts, banner and hanging plant baskets, street furniture, way finding signage, landscaping, watering system and potential underground electrical service   The available funding for construction is $8 million.  The funding source is the Bond Issue.  The advertising date is July 23, 2010; the notice to proceed estimated date is October 2010; and the estimated date for completion is February 2012.

Bord du Lac Park Phase 2 Gateway and Playground:

This project will include redesign of the park grounds to accommodate the introduction of a fountain feature, a gateway structure, vending stations, park amenities, site lighting, playground enhancements, landscaping and irrigation. 

The available funding for construction is $350,000.  The funding sources are the Bond Issue and the City.  The advertising date is July 23, 2010; the notice to proceed estimated date is October 2010; and the estimated date for completion is July 2011.

Bord du Lac Park Phase 3 - Amphitheater:

The existing Amphitheater's orientation will be reconfigured, shade structures and seating areas will be introduced, and improvements will be made to rest rooms, pedestrian accessibility and service roadway access.  Amenities will include a concession court; children's stage, a pavilion, and a fountain.

The available funding source is Bond Issue and City.  The advertising date is August 30, 2010; the notice to proceed estimated date is December 2010; and the estimated date for completion is July 2012.

Gill Street Extension:

The goal of this project is to provide a safe vehicular and pedestrian linkage between the downtown and lakefront area and promote public/private development in the Lakefront area and constitute the City's commitment to making Lake Charles a regional retail/commerce hub.  This will be accomplished through a connective extension of the existing Gill St., which will include the required utility infrastructure for the planned mixed-use development of Tract 1A to the north and Bord du Lac Park to the south.  Included as well will be the integration and connection of the existing parking lot into the new street corridor in a safe and functional manner.

The project extends from the Lakeshore Dr./Gill St. intersection west to the intersection of Bord du Lac Drive near the Lakefront Promenade Schooner's Landing.

The available funding for construction is $3,400,000.  The funding sources are $1.17 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Bond.  The advertisement date is September 24, 2010; the notice to proceed estimated date is December 2010; and the estimated date for completion is June 2012.

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