From our partners at News15,
It was one year ago that a Downtown Development District was created for the City of Opelousas with the goal of revitalizing the core of the city.
“It takes a while to get this rolling. We didn’t get here overnight but we think we are in the right place.”
Lena Charles who serves on the board of the downtown development district says a cash strapped city and parish lead to the creation of the district that will set money aside to revitalize the heart of the city.
It is funded by a special taxing district that taxes purchases at big box chain stores in the area by one percent.
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Now that money is starting to pour into the downtown district’s account
“During the first quarter we will start realizing the funds that we have.”
Downtown Development District Chair Lena Charles says they plan to make to area more convenient for visitors.
“So those are basic things that you can walk in an area. you can park in an area and you can stay awhile in an area and when we start doing that for downtown then you know how they say if you build they will come.”
Charles believes it’s only a matter of time before the public starts to see the fruits of their labor.
“We also have three other initiatives that are going to be dealing with around that corridor around that courthouse area to see that those dollars are being used. they will be able to see something happening. we’re excited about that because we can start putting some real meat into the pot.”
