Paul Maillard project gets local input

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 3, 2013

By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LULING – St. Charles Parish’s Department of Planning and Zoning held a publc workshop on Saturday morning in the CVS parking lot
in Luling in order to gain community input on the Paul Maillard Road Revitalization Plan.
Parish officials asked residents and business owners for their input concerning practical, resourceful ideas to improve the Paul Maillard Road corridor and surrounding area. The public meeting gave community members a chance to express what they would like to see prioritized in the corridor. The parish also set up interactive chalkboards around the area. Inspired by New Orleans artist Candy Chang, each board read “Paul Maillard Road would be better if…” and left a blank space for community members to fill in.
The revitalization project is designed to make Paul Maillard Road a more walkable, bike-friendly and safe environment for the community. The parish intends for the project and future road improvement to lead to positive economic development along the corridor and lower transportation costs for residents. Information gathered from the boards will be included, along with input gained from the public meeting, to help shape the future vision for the area.
Kim Marousek, director of St. Charles Parish Planning and Zoning Department, said the response to the event was positive. The workshop drew about 50 residents to participate, despite the rain.
“We’re still evaluating the feedback we received, but I was pleased with the level of support for the project that was expressed,” said Marousek.
“Early comments seemed to confirm that the community is extremely interested in providing a safe area for pedestrians and bicyclists along the corridor and that they are interested in bringing a more diverse business climate to the area,
such as places to eat, shop, which would also generate job opportunities to residents of the area and parish. Citizens also expressed a desire to address blight in the area
and also to bring up
the general appear-
ance of the area,” she said.
Marousek said the Planning and Zoning Department will work with the Steering Committee to begin creating a vision for the project. In mid-fall, the department will hold a second community public meeting, which will focus more on future design ideas for the area and its surrounding buildings.
“Citizens and business owners can contact Marny Stein, planner, at 985-783-5060 or email mstein@stcharlesgov.net if they are
interested in getting more information or providing feedback on the project. We are
looking at possibly holding smaller, more focused discussions in the neighborhood. We want to continue the conversation about how best to reshape the corridor to create an area that has a unique sense of place while being truthful to the history of the area,” said Marousek.
For more information on parish activities, visit www.stcharlesgov.net, www.facebook.com/stcharlesgov or www.twitter.com/stcharlesgov.