For Immediate Release:  June 12, 2015

For Further Information Contact: John Cardone, Jr., 491-1381; Lori Marinovich, 491-1429

 

 

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW

ARCHITECTS SOUTHWEST LAKEFRONT PLAN

Steven Oubre of Architects Southwest presented a draft of its lakefront development design plan to the Downtown Development Authority during the June 11 meeting. The preliminary plan lays out a design concept and illustrates the development potential of the property along the north side of the Lake Charles lakefront including the land donated by Pinnacle to the City.

 

The plan’s concept is based on the design standards that originated from a series of public hearings on the lakefront property held between 2006 and 2007. At that time, a plan for development was created and approved by the City Council and then by voters in a public referendum with more than 80 percent voting to approve the plan.

 

The Downtown Development Authority will consider a resolution recommending the plan to the City Council on June 18 at 12 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 326 Pujo Street.

 

Oubre will also make a presentation to the City Council at the agenda meeting on June 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers and the Mayor will then ask that a resolution to approve the plan and begin the process of selecting one or more developers be placed on the agenda. The earliest that the Council could consider this resolution would be July 1. The public will be able to comment on the project at both meetings.

 

Pending approval, the City intends to begin soliciting offers from developers by late July and to be prepared to recommend the best proposal or combination of proposals to the Council for approval in October.

 

“We are trying to expedite the process to capitalize on current market conditions,” said Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach. “The final master plan will include details that will help guide developers, such as the property’s infrastructure needs and preferred uses, architectural styles, and design specifications including building height and street and sidewalk width.”

 

The suggested master plan calls for a hotel, retail, restaurants, living accommodations, boat docks, and public piers, which allow for commercial development along the lakefront while maintaining public access. The plan incorporates Lake Charles historic architecture into its design standards and also uses existing features including Bilbo Cemetery and the parking deck.

 

You can view the presentation materials and the Architects Southwest recorded presentation by clicking on the links provided. For more information, call 491-1429.

 

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The City of Lake Charles fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.   For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see the City of Lake Charles website- www.cityoflakecharles.com  or call the Mayor’s Action Line at (337) 491-1346, or contact the appropriate Department Head, or call the Title VI coordinator at (337) 491-1440.