Lakefront development... take two

   Yet another lakefront development proposal is being brought before the Lake Charles City Council.  The latest idea combines a Branson, Missouri and Disney World type of destination.  The Mardi Gras Boardwalk is the vision of several parties:  including an executive from Disney World and famed New Orleans Mardi Gras float construction artist Blaine Kern.  The proposal would sit on the area of land just North of the Civic Center and wrap around all the way to Veteran's Memorial Park.  One of the interesting elements of the plan would also make the Lakefront home to the largest ferris wheel in America.  The development also calls for a 300 luxury suite hotel and 50 condos, and an amphitheatre that could seat five thousand people for a variety of shows including Broadway productions.  The City Council is expected to discuss this latest propopsal at their agenda meeting later today. What's your reaction to these latest proposals for lakefront development?  And is a large ferris wheel your idea of lakefront development?

Comments

[once again to please the rich and crooked]

had to throw the 300 luxury suite hotel and 50 condos in there huh...couldn't do it without that.. no place for the crooked poli's to go with the mistress....

biggest ferris wheel in America,,until the next major hurricane comes in and rips it down..then it will be toooo exspensive to put back up along with everything else that is ripped after a bad one.

it's all good on paper but who come's up with these idea's?

[Swamp Charly]

I agree that the "luxury condos" are overdone , but a "kemah-like" lakefront is the only way to go !
Make sure the DDA has nothing to do with it...these people know nothing about business and work at a snail-pace....if the project is self-funded , give it a go and give it a go fast...no time to waste !!!!

[bb]

Who comes up with this crap? Of all the things they have said they wanted to do with the lakefront, this is got to be the worst one...

A ferris wheel? What happens when another hurricane comes through and rips it down???

[Bob Redmon]

The condos and a hotel are excellent ideas since there will no HUD funding. Everyone knows that an apartment complex will not be maintained properly after a few years and they will be an eye sore. Plus we need more attractons to draw tourists.

[Jim]

stop arguing about it and start building! This town has wasted so many years on this topic. This town sucks because the people do not want to grow and take advantage of the endless opportunities that lakefront can offer to the city and the surrounding community. Think of all the tax dollars, revenues, JOBS!... and people wanting to come here, stay here, and not move away because Lake Charles could be something instead of a run down slum hole.

I like this phrase and I think you should think about this... "If you build it, they will come"

Look at the last major project in this area and that was the Laberge Casino Resort and look at the great success that had on this city. Look at all the new development, jobs, resturants, hotels, shopping area that has developed near that casino.

Think about what could be if we finally stop wasting time and dragging yalls feet and build that damn lakefront up NOW! Not 5 or 10 years from now...

[Laura Bowers]

Think about what you see when you drive down I-10 through Lake Chuck... Its so run down looking and ghetto from the Highway... I don't blame the people driving through not to stop. Lake Charles is scary and not inviting at all. We really need to grow some "balls" and step up to the plate now rather than later. We need some change quick for Lake Charles because this town has a reputation and its not a pretty one. Come on people, lets make downtown LC and the LakeFront a beautiful and fun place to stop, visit, and have fun!

[chuck]

I would be excited to see something like this, but I just don't want these developers to be promising too much and delivering too little. Do they have the funds to make it happen and keep it going since it will not work overnight.

People who complain that the ferris wheel will just be torn down during a hurricane I ask you are we supposed to not build anything? Should we all just move if that is the case? Quit being a negative vortex you ninies.

No HUD on the lakefront is a great thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucifer and Lucy]

SNAFU

[Elohssa]

And exactly where is the money for all these bright ideas going to come from?

If they were GOOD ideas, there'd be businessmen spending their own money to bring them about.

Instead, since they're just cutesy opinions, we're expected to get "government money" (that's out of our own pockets) to bring them about. And when they start getting run down and in the toilet, then the city will come back to us with sad looks on their faces wanting MORE money to fix it up so it can continue to lose money.

Come on, people! a Mardi Gras float designer? Is that what passes for expertise in the development of this resource?

A Disney World executive? Disney World makes money because they charge huge fees for total packages of a big entertainment and resort complex. One Ferris wheel and Mayor Randy's palm trees aren't quite in the same league. Can you imagine the uproar from certain segments of the population if we started charging fifty bucks a pop to enjoy the features of our new and improved Lakefront?

Just because you spend money for a pretty saddle doesn't turn a broke-down mule into a racehorse.

[Da Gardner]

I think they should go back to the HUD idea, i was looking forward to moving downtown by the lake. Now this Ferris wheel idea is stupid. I still support the idea of a huge truck stop, with all the traffic i-10 gets it would be a money maker, they could have a motel 6, some fast food places, stuff like that. it would create jobs for people and provide a source of revenue for the city. also i would be able to enjoy the lot lizards, it would also be really nice if these places took my food stamp card too. i also agree with elohssa about the horse comparison.

[Swamp Charly]

Give it a chance ...for once...but I agree , if there is a chance, its got to be done NOW!...Let the City Council give a letter of agreement , then allow the developers clarify their positions...dont let the DDA(a bunch of special interest volunteers who do not want anything commercial on the Lakefront)drag their feet for ever...too many cooks spoil the meal!!!!

[CTtcg]

I think the idea is great! It's such a better idea than the lame one before (HUD apartments).

A nice hotel, restaurants, a large amphitheatre - those are all great ideas!

I'm not sure if a Ferris wheel would be an attraction. Why do we need to make Lake Charles into a circus?

[Key demographic]

First let's think back a few months when good ole' Dana Jackson voted FOR the cypress deal..Seems back then he did not have a problem with cypress coming in and creating "economic development", which by the way is what Dana alleges he is in office for. Now, when cypress has put time, effort, and money into getting this project start, Dana Jackson suddenly is against it 100%. Could this sudden change in attitude come from the fact that he has an interest in local area apartment complexes and now sees that cypress will create competition, a competition that will be more desired by the demographic his apartments target? Instead, Dana Jackson wants to turn the lake front into a year round contraband days....and we all know how family oriented that is...

[Key demographic]

And lets not forget that the dda has been urging the city council to move forward this whole time....maybe the city council should stop dragging their feet, get out of the deep pockets that are developing south of 210 and actually get something done

[Mike Duhon]

i believe that the latest idea is real stupid. After the new wears off the ferris wheel and other attractions it will be like a ghost town. A bigger outdoor theater wont work because too many times during the year it is too hot, or raining. Not to mention like others have said that the first hurricane will send the ferris wheel and roller coaster crashing down. We dont need a year round festival.
Whatever happened to the museum, marina, restaurant, appartments idea?

[Swamp Charly]

...dangerous accusations there Key...but if substantiated Dana Jackson should step down...we cant allow special interests dictate whats good for the " little people of Lake Charles..."

This town politics is fast becoming a Wild West take all affair....

Looking forward to see where it takes us....

[Lucifer and Lucy]

Build a North Loop around the Yuck Puddle from Iowa to Sulphur. Put a pontoon bridge across the Calcasieu in place of the Lafitte. Fill in the Puddle and make a huge BEACH.

[jack]

Sounds good to me. I say build it and build it now. I always did like ferris wheels. Not much on roller coasters.

[Mike]

This entire Lake Front Development project is nothing more than a bunch of sweet deals with those who stand to gain the most money calling the shots. If the original plan cannot be completed as agreed, then cancel the whole thing and give us our money back. This smells of typical corrupt Louisiana politics. The last thing we need on our lakefront skyline is a ferris wheel. If Lake Charles is so impressed with the San Antonio Riverwalk then hire the City of San Antonio to design one and then build it. An amphitheater is pointless since it's much too hot for anyone to sit outside and watch anything. This whole thing needs to go back to the drawing board and start over. That includes voter reapproval for the plans AND the funding.

[Buck]

Looks to me like the latest proposal for lakefront development should be put in the same place the others have {toilet}. Sounds like some of the Mayor's old development ideas, pirate ship, merry-go- round, etc. Maybe the energy that has been wasted on this from our city council and mayor, should have been spent on getting the city out of finanicial crisis they put us in. This type of mismanagement has put the city of Lake Charles 4 million dollors in the hole this budget year.

[Charles]

People complaining that it is too hot to have an ampitheather need to check out Cynthia Woods Pavillion in The Woodlands. Is it that much cooler in The Woodlands than here?

People saying that a ferris wheel and roller coaster will not attract visitors need to ask visitors with kids at Kemah why they are there. The answer will be because Kemah has rides and is a destination spot. Lake Charles can be the same.

Lake Charles needs cheaper and affordable housing but it certainly doesn't need to be ON the lakefront. This is where the Cypress deal (along with questionable financing) went wrong.

[bb]

SO what to after the ferris wheel and roller coaster? Go to a bar or casino?? This is all this town has to offer...... No wait,,,we can all go down to the ghetto and look at a stupid, decrepit war ship.......

[chris]

Maybe the city counsel needs to travel around and check out outher cities and see what works before planting a ferris wheel. St petersburg, Fla has a really nice pier with restaurants and a huge sun deck up top for live entertainment.(may look nice where Harrahs once stood). Within walking distance is a entertainment complex with bars/ clubs and shopping. Knock down the civic center and make it a open air mall since a new mall is needed anyway.LC has so much potential but is so afraid to make a move.Been the same song and dance for many years.

[Dontforget]

A depression, A recession, housing Down 25%, Job market zilch, Great timing........
This is just something else for The Roach's so called LEGACY.
Remember the Civic Center, that was Sudduth's legacy, Oh yeah WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT,Sports events,on and on with false hopes.
Same thing Different time.

[Acer]

Dont, Yes,you are right
Let capitalism Work, We see this going on with our Federal Gov right now. Keep my TAX dollars out of this !!!!!
If this is such a great Idea Let Investors Build....with some profits going to the City
then we Make money or Do not loose any.....