The proposed Mardi Gras Boardwalk hit a major stumbling block Monday, when the Downtown Development Authority refused to give its approval to the plans for Lakefront development. The DDA says after reviewing Mardi Gras Boardwalk's proposal, it decided not to recommend the city council to move forward on the idea. You'll remember, the proposal includes restaurants, shopping, nightlife and tons of entertainment, including the largest ferris wheel in America and a roller coaster. While it may look good on paper, the DDA says there are several areas that raise lots of questions. Adley Cormier, President of the DDA says, "One of the very first requests of the development was to be exempt of Smart Code and business guidelines... We believe Smart Code is imporant to building right for the future and they (Mardi Gras Boardwalk) did not want to be covered by Smart Code or any of the other business regulations that every other development needs to face." Cormier also says there were some difficulties with the group's plan for parking-- and with their financing. The DDA's recommendation against the Mardi Gras Boardwalk will be presented to the Lake Charles City Council at their Tuesday night meeting. What is your reaction to the Downtown Development Authority rejecting the Mardi Gras Boardwalk proposal? Do you think it was a good proposal? Or do you agree with the DDA that there were still too many unanswered questions?
Somebody catch me quick before I faint!
Lake Charles actually turning down a tasteless and gaudy project? I cannot believe! The tastes of this city in regard to developement tends to run near that of interior decorations of houses of ill repute.
Posted by: Elohssa | February 22, 2011 at 06:35 AM
I agree with the DDA. If you dont like the smart code build somewhere else.
Posted by: Brian | February 22, 2011 at 06:59 AM
OK we are right by the I-10, if we want to think New Orleans style, why not build an old fashioned "cat" house and run is as such. The truck drivers would keep it busy, heck we could have a vaudeville show, or even old time peep shows, we slap a heft luxury tax on the place and city make money hand over fist.
Think in the box people....
Posted by: DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR | February 22, 2011 at 07:12 AM
While I agree that this plan may not be the best suited for our area I would like to know what legal standing does the DDA really have? They are not elected officials and what can they legally recommend one way or the other? Don't we have a city council who is legally obligated to make these types of decisions for our city? and who sits on the DDA?
Posted by: Just Wondering | February 22, 2011 at 07:21 AM
I don't see it as a tastless or gaudy project. I see it as a way to draw people off the interstate and create a tax dollars base. Driving east bound on I-10 from the I-10 bridge all the way to the I-210 turn off: What does LC have to offer the millions of tax dollars traveling down I-10? Nothing but an area that looks like the Slum of LC. There are a couple of businesses on the west bound side of I-10 that I can count on one hand. LC is loosing thousands of dollars a day because there is no reason for travelers to stop in LC; rather there is discouragement to travel on through LC and not stop.
I will say this; the DDA is correct in rejecting the proposal until the developer gets their ducks all in row.
Posted by: Joe | February 22, 2011 at 07:21 AM
DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR: I pray not for Lake Charles or any city in this area.
Posted by: Joe | February 22, 2011 at 07:24 AM
JOE--My idea reflects your comments, I just have the SPIRIT to say it and not hide....I provide solutions not problems.
Posted by: DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR | February 22, 2011 at 07:49 AM
Four Americans, whose yacht was hijacked, have been killed by Somali pirates ......kinda makes that lakefront crap look pretty silly doesn't it ......And Obama is passed out on the wheelhouse floor.
Congrats America - We've come really far after defeating the World twice in War :(
We are going top see $4.00 / gal diesel in a few days - Another landmark accomplishment by King Bama
Posted by: Confederate " Rebel " Narcisse | February 22, 2011 at 08:12 AM
Hey Rebel-- If you can afford a yacht and you are off the coast of Somali....well then you kind of get what is due to you... the closest thing most Lake Chuckians have to a yacht is the folded up American press the sail down the over grown drainage ditches..... Gas was high before the Great Obama, if more people would convert their vehicles to natural gas then we would not have to depend on foreign oil... so make the choice and change to NG
Posted by: DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR | February 22, 2011 at 08:26 AM
They don't want to follow smart code? Let them build somewhere else. We don't want them in our town.
Posted by: Monica | February 22, 2011 at 09:34 AM
Way to go DDA!!! By refusing to approve the Mardi Gras Boardwalk you have paved the way for a boring Hurricane Museum that will be closed in 10 years due to lack of attendance. Let's face it, no one is gonna come to Lake Charles just to go to a museum. Why?? Because there's nothing else to do here. Sure teachers from Texas and Louisiana will come and bring their students for field trips but that's about it. DDA, instead of a Hurricane Museum, why don't you guys just build more fountains and brick more walkways along the lakefront that are just nice to look at. That's all you guys know how to do anyway!! Oh and let's not forget landscaping!!
Posted by: Cici | February 22, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Mardi Gras Boardwalk was probably underfunded and the smart code is a smoke screen....that being said , is the smart code appropriate when it comes to attract tourist $$$$ ?
The Hurricanne Museum is a good idea and if it is made to be an educational/tourist attraction it can succeed...it needs , money,corporate support,Gov.vision(see WWII museum in N.O)
Problem with Lake Charles , it attracts bad projects over&over because City is constantly wavering and controlled by people with no business acumen.....
(anyone reading those comments???)
Posted by: Swamp Charly | February 22, 2011 at 10:27 AM
I don't have all the facts since the city treats us like mushrooms (keeps us in the dark and feeds us manure). However I'd prefer to see the city err on the side of caution in dealing with something as big as this project. The Downtown Development Authority really has no authority in this matter. They can only make recommendations to the City Council who, along with the Mayor, will make the final decision. So...it's still pretty much business as usual. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Posted by: Mike | February 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Just a couple of ideas:
1. Dredge the area in front of the WWII memorial.
2. Move the Oreck ship in dredged area.
3. Bulkhead lakefront using dirt from step 1
4. Demolish the bombed out old hotel area.
5. Tell the LC Yacht club to find a new home
6. Make the new land available to developers that have historically been interested in building a Kemah style facility.
7. Tell the people on the "other side of the lake" to deal with it.
8. When the lakefront develops, the CC area will progress as well. Not the other way around. I-10 visitors see the bombed out hotel and boring lakefront, and they don't stop and drive ON. So you have to develop your main asset 1st, which is the lakefront along I-10. Boardwalks and palm trees don't bring business.
Posted by: justanidea | February 22, 2011 at 11:09 AM
VERY WELL SAID, JUSTANIDEA, ESPECIALY ITEM #5 . wHO ARE THEY TO BE SETTING ON THAT PIECE OF REAL ESTATE ??
Posted by: ALLEN | February 22, 2011 at 11:44 AM
I should not be shocked by the thumbs down, sadly Lake Charles has a problem with fun and interesting things. What about all the vacant lots the casino used with shuttles? Kemah, Texas is a tiny town and they have an awesome boardwalk. I felt the new Mardi Gra Board walk was going to benefit the downtown area and the city! =(
Posted by: Gwen | February 22, 2011 at 12:12 PM
We have not heard the real reason they are not reccommending it for L.C.
Posted by: egg shell | February 22, 2011 at 01:22 PM
WHAT IS THE MATER WITH MY HOUSES OF ILL REPUTE AND VAUDEVILLE DANCERS...WE MUST THINK OF WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR THIS POOR TOWN.
Posted by: DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR | February 22, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Dear people-
Kemah works because Houston metro area is right at their back door. Lake Charles will not compete with that geographic reality. The ONLY reason 99% of Houstonians visit Lake Charles is what Kemah DOESN'T have, and that, dear friends, is casinos.
Why would anyone in their right mind want to drive a hundred and fifty miles to see a plastic fake mockup of some fevered mind's "Mardi Gras" theme?
You people never cease to amaze me...
Posted by: Elohssa | February 22, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Go back and review the archive blogs for Nov 2010 on this same issue. The problems that we addressed then are still valid now. We wasted over 3 months on this dead issue. You can't do business with people that have no money and bad previous business history. The Lake Charles City Council were aware of the problems with this company then, but elected to do business with them anyway. They are to blame along with the Roach Administration for the mess on the lakefront.
Posted by: Buck | February 22, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Kemah works because there is something to do when you get there. It started off with a fishing marina and The Flying Dutchman restaurant over the water that has great food btw. Then it expanded continuously. It didn't happen overnight, but it won't ever happen if it doesn't get started. We are the only lakefront property along I-10. We have an asset, we need to make the most of it, and having a bombed out abandoned hotel is not a way to advertise yourself.
Posted by: justanidea | February 22, 2011 at 04:31 PM
Elohssa & Buck are right....but it all boils down to what the City really wants...and the truth is that they want to be reelected and reappointed again and again....very little to do with whats good or right...as for having an asset and lakefront property...it can easily turn into a very costly liability...so it is no wonder that there isnt A SINGLE BUSINESS OPEN ON THE LAKEFRONT !
Posted by: Swamp Charly | February 22, 2011 at 04:48 PM
The ones behind the museum were vocally against the Mardi Gras Boardwalk in the beginning. I'm not surprised the DDA recommended going against it. It's clear who the good guys and villains are in this town...
Posted by: CTtcg | February 22, 2011 at 10:04 PM