Nellie Lutcher District

The Nellie Lutcher District is located around Enterprise Boulevard and Broad Street. It is currently recognized as a cultural district at the state level and has a variety of eclectic uses and buildings. The area north of Broad was once a key commercial corridor for Black and immigrant communities in Lake Charles.

Enterprise Boulevard can become a new cultural destination district and gateway for economic development along the I-10 corridor. Dining, entertainment, and cultural uses will attract people traveling along I-10 and residents looking for a creative and vibrant district.

Streetscape improvements to make Enterprise Boulevard and Broad Street more welcoming to pedestrians would connect Downtown to the Nellie Lutcher District to North Lake Charles. In the future, additional housing could be built and renovated in adjacent neighborhoods, strengthening the district.

Several projects are already moving forward. The City is constructing the Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration granted $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan funds to build a new Mardi Gras Museum in the district, which could be colocated with Mardi Gras-focused small businesses.

(TOP) Enterprise Boulevard (between I-10 and Broad Street) would be transformed with bike lanes, shade trees, and wider sidewalks.

(BOTTOM) Broad Street would be transformed with wider sidewalks, pedestrian-scale lighting, and on-street parking

BROAD STREET — PROPOSED I Preferred Option

HIGH priority 5–10 years

$20 million

An Important Note WHO IS NELLIE LUTCHER?

Nellie Lutcher was an internationally known jazz and blues artist born in Lake Charles. Growing up, Nellie lived along Enterprise Boulevard (now named the “Nellie Lutcher Parkway”) and attended New Sunlight Baptist Church. The church is still in existence and is located within the district on V.E. Washington Avenue.