JUST IMAGINE

Collaborative community planning that focuses on implementing a better quality of life.

Resilient housing in attractive neighborhoods that people can afford and access.

A diverse and strong economy that adapts to stresses and provides all residents and businesses with the opportunity to thrive.

Reliable and resilient infrastructure that improves the quality of life and makes the region safer.

A region that fully celebrates and protects its unique natural and cultural resources.

Community Planning Goals

1. Work together to implement a common vision

2. Invest to ensure Calcasieu and Cameron parishes are clean, safe, and beautiful

3. Create a more walkable and bikeable region

4. Make the region attractive to families and youth

5. Make it easy and clear for developers to implement the community’s vision

Housing Goals

1. Educate people about the best practices for resilient housing, including retrofitting existing buildings

2. Increase the construction and supply of housing

3. Stabilize and enhance existing neighborhoods

4. Build new resilient housing and neighborhoods

5. Build economically integrated and mixedincome housing to ensure that everyone can afford a quality place to live

Economic Development Goals

1. Maintain the strong economic sectors in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes

2. Diversify the economy and make it more resilient by expanding to new sectors

3. Build a resilient workforce development pipeline

4. Enhance destinations and connections to the amenities that will encourage people to visit Calcasieu and Cameron parishes and support local businesses

Infrastructure Goals

1. Upgrade the capacity of, protect, and harden existing infrastructure

2. Develop new infrastructure to be resilient and minimize future risk

3. Provide safe and reliable connections to critical facilities and community resources

4. Implement regional standards for infrastructure

5. Scale streets to work for people

NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES GOALS

1. Make the region’s natural beauty and outdoor activities more accessible and family-friendly

2. Reduce coastal risk

3. Enhance and create dedicated spaces for gathering and cultural events

4. Expand SWLA’s network of parks, green spaces, and trails

5. Preserve natural areas and protect air and water quality

10 Catalytic Projects

The 10 catalytic projects were selected through a deliberate and comprehensive process to ensure they were impactful and implementable. This entailed:

• Performing a qualitative analysis of the themes in the Step 1 Understanding engagement data by project topic area and geography

• Tracking suggestions for projects in community input and Guiding Group meetings

• Developing a common definition for ‘catalytic’ and a set of metrics and criteria

• Vetting potential catalytic projects with the advisory committee

• Confirming the selected projects with the community through multiple feedback loops

The catalytic projects are intended to be highly visible projects that can be funded and implemented in the first 1–10 years to jump-start economic growth and improve infrastructure and quality of life. There are two categories of projects:

• Projects 1–6 are location-specific. They will be implemented in key locations based on geographical and ecological assets like the waterways, opportunities for economic growth, and locations of anchor institutions. These projects can serve as examples for similar projects at a smaller scale throughout SWLA.

• Projects 7–10 apply across both parishes. They will be implemented in multiple locations in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes, as well as in the other parishes of Southwest Louisiana.

Project 1 Coastal Flood Risk Reduction

Sealevel rise and increased intensity of tropical storms are the largest threats to the long-term viability and protection of assets in Calcasieu and Cameron parish. This project focuses on protecting the coast in Cameron, while ensuring that investments in both parishes are shielded against future devastation. It layers structural and non-structural interventions to reduce loss of life and property from surge events, lower flood insurance, and build on the ongoing work of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).

Project 2 Waterfront Development

The region’s waterfronts are an untapped asset for quality of life and economic development. Exciting new projects like the Port Wonder Children’s Museum and Nature Center, a new Crying Eagle Brewery restaurant, and Lake Area Adventures will activate the lakefront. Making an investment in a continuous public edge from the Lake Charles Civic Center, across the new I-10 bridge, to Westlake would connect over four miles of pedestrian promenades with vibrant restaurants, recreation, and entertainment.

Project 3

MID-CITY NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSFORMATION

Neighborhood transformation requires creating quality housing that offers choices for everyone. A mixed-income housing approach is being explored for the Lake Street Area between I-210 and W. Sallier Street. Older public housing would be redeveloped into high-quality housing to serve a mix of low-income, workforce, and market-rate individuals and families. All families would enjoy high-quality homes and beautiful amenities. A mixed-income housing approach could help the Mid-City neighborhood compete for HUD’s $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant, leveraging over $200 million of additional investment.

Project 4 Nellie Lutcher District

Enterprise Boulevard can become a new cultural destination district and gateway for economic development along the I-10 corridor. New and existing dining, entertainment, and cultural uses will attract people who are traveling along I-10 as well as residents looking for a creative and vibrant district. Streetscape improvements to Enterprise Boulevard and Broad Street would connect from Downtown to the Nellie Lutcher District to North Lake Charles.

Project 5 Mcneese Area Resilience District

McNeese State University is a valuable anchor for SWLA. The Contraband Bayou project that is under construction will enhance resilience and provide access to the water, as the first phase of the Bayou Greenbelt. The LNG Center of Excellence, retail center renovations, new student housing, and a road diet for Common Street would have economic development benefits while enlivening the edges of campus. A Resilience District would tie multiple projects together and target available funding.

PROJECT 6 CHENNAULT/SOWELA AREA RESILIENCE DISTRICT

Chennault and SOWELA are planning to invest in bringing more jobs and businesses to the area, enhancing parking lots, and building new educational buildings. Sewer, water, and road upgrades are needed to support new development. A resilience district for Chennault and SOWELA would encompass multiple projects and help make infrastructure upgrades eligible for funding. In the future, the Chennault/SOWELA Resilience District could be a destination with restaurants, housing, and other amenities to serve students and employees at Chennault and SOWELA.

WHAT IS A ‘CATALYTIC PROJECT’?

A highly visible project that can be funded and implemented in the first 1-10 years to jump-start economic growth and improve infrastructure and quality of life.

1. Coastal Flood Risk Reduction

2. Waterfront Development

3. Mid-City Neighborhood Transformation

4. Nellie Lutcher District

5. McNeese Area Resilience District

6. Chennault/SOWELA Area Resilience District

7. Strong Downtowns

8. Community Resilience Hubs

9. Resilient Housing for SWLA

10. Strategies to Address Vacant and Underutilized Property