Volume 2
January 2009
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. ULEDF proud recipient of Grant from Lafayette Visitor Enterprise Fund !
Upcoming Events Meeting Schedule 2009 March 18 May 20 July 15 September 16 November 18 All meetings commence at 7:30 a.m. Locations to be announced.
UPPER LAFAYETTE BOUNDARIES
Dating back to pre-Katrina 2005, surrounding landowners and businesses identified the need to spruce up the I-10/University exit by improving lighting and making the exit more attractive for locals and visitors alike. Today, with the enthusiastic support of ULL President Joe Savoie and Lafayette City-Parish Joey Durel, this Upper Lafayette project is becoming a reality. Many thanks to Gerald Breaux and the staff at Lafayette Parish Convention and Visitor’s Commission (a member of ULEDF!) for encouraging ULEDF to apply for a grant to begin this project, which funding is derived from the local motel/hotel tax. On January 14, Executive Director Jan Swift received a deposit on the $7,000.00 grant dedicated to the improvement of this interchange at a luncheon hosted at Café Vermilionville. Plans include cleaning up the underpass at the exit, creating a mural (details which are still in design stage), and placing UL banners along University Avenue marking the way to the university. Special thanks to Professors Jim Foret, UL School of Agriculture (Forestry); Professors Bryan Kelly and Jeff Lush, UL School of Fine Arts, and Professor Tom Sammons, School of Architecture, as well as their students for volunteered time spend in designing possibilities for the project. Also thanks to Senator Mike Michot and Representative Joel Robideaux for approving the grant request. ULEDF invites interested persons to contact Jan at jan@upperlafayette.com for more information and ways you can help.
Jefferson Island/I-49 South Press Conference Gathering at the beautiful Rip Van Winkle Gardens at Jefferson Island on January 12 ,2009, the Acadiana Legislative Delegation displayed a renewed determination to obtain funds to complete I-49 South. Senator Mike Michot (chair of the Senate Finance Committee), surrounded by State Representatives Jonathan Perry (chair of the delegation), Page Cortez, Simone Champagne, Taylor Barras, Joel Robideaux, Nancy Landry, Rickey Hardy and Bobby Badon, as well as area mayors Wilson Viator (Youngsville), Tim Matte (Morgan City), Hilda Curry (New Iberia), Joey Durel (Lafayette), and Louis Ratcliff (Berwick) presented a united front for regional progress in this long delayed project to bring Hwy. 90 up to interstate standards. The delegation is hoping to fight for a portion of the state budget surplus from the past fiscal year. Not only is the renewed push one for improved safety and a more efficient hurricane evacuation route, but statistics were cited which stressed the high number of oilfield related jobs/workers situated along this important U.S. Energy Corridor. Completion of this route would also provide a great stimulus to our local economy. Attesting to that fact were the dozens of business leaders and economic development officials from Lafayette to Morgan City in attendance to show their strong support for the project. Jan Swift, Executive Director of ULEDF, was in attendance at the press event, serving as a representative of the I-49 South Task Force by appointment of Gov. Bobby Jindal. Other local area appointees include Lafayette City-Parish President, Joey Durel, Bill Fenstermaker, Jason Bellard, Lafayette City-Parish Council member, and Senator Mike Michot. Our business community is encouraged to vocally support completion of I-49 South inasmuch as state transportation officials have not yet made this a top priority in funding of state projects.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT… Todd Citron, Hub City Ford Never in our history has Upper Lafayette had so much opportunity placed before us than now. With a great mix of business professionals on our board, the Foundation looks forward to taking its next step towards being a catalyst for positive change in our community. Please join us in making this vision a reality!
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE…. City of Carencro Proposing Ordinance for Land Use Regulations A proposal to regulate land use for all new construction is being proposed by the City of Carencro’s Mayor Glenn Brasseaux and is up for adoption by the Carencro City Council. A public hearing was held at the Carencro Civic Center January 15 whereby local residents and interested parties were given the chance to review the “Performance Land Use” proposal, ask questions and voice concerns. The measure is an attempt to protect land values and to adopt an orderly plan for growth as the small community looks ahead to an expected population increase in the I-49 Upper Lafayette corridor. Rather than utilizing traditional zoning methods whereby use is restricted by location, the emphasis in the proposed plan is in using land in a manner which does not adversely affect one’s neighbors, similar to the Civilian principles of fairness embodied in our Louisiana Civil Code. Limited to the City of Carencro (and not the outlying areas situated within the unincorporated limits of Lafayette Parish), the town would be divided in Districts and regulated by a “Conflict Matrix” which would determine the measures to be taken when a new construction might impact the adjoining landowners. Example: a Florist want to build near residences: the conflict resolution would call for a 15’ buffer of green space and fence to be built before obtaining approval for a building permit. The plan has been a work in progress by local architect Lynn Guidry, UL Professor Tom Sammons, and UL student Hans Breaux, and has been funded in a joint initiative by the City of Carencro and the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). Proposed Ordinance 208-018 may be viewed at www.carencro.org and clicking “Growth Management Plan.” ULEDF applauds Carencro for its forward thinking and community pride!
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders, joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area. Anyone desiring more information about our foundation is encouraged to call Jan Swift at (337)572-9877 Ext. 108 or email jan@upperlafayette.com. Also, please visit www.upperlafayette.com for a membership application and brochure.
Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation thanks its members: Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Allstates Building Systems Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Castille Properties CENAC, Inc./ Acadian Hills Country Club Joey Durel Gulf States Real Estate Services Home Furniture Hub City Ford IberiaBank
Volume 2
IberiaBank Kidney Consultants of La. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau Michelle Leder LLLand, LLC Lowry’s Printing and Copying McDonald’s of Acadiana Flo Meadows Moss Motors Michelle Mouton Poche Prouet & Associates Republic Beverage Company MidSouth Bank
Schilling Distributing Co., Inc. Ken Simeral SLEMCO Stevens RV Center Stirling Properties, Inc. Terry J. Rogers, Ltd. The Lolley Group, LLC Sandy Thibodeaux Whitney National Bank Ron J. Gaubert Realtors John W. Milton Don and Barbara McConnell Acadiana C.A.R.E.S.
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