Planning for Hopkins

The Hopkins Street corridor could be coming into its own once more.

Beginning tonight, residents of the West End, New Iberia and the entire area will have the opportunity to watch their dreams for the Hopkins Street corridor undergo a daily evolution as they speak with a team of designers and architects retained by the community development not for profit Southern Mutual Help Association.

Should the future include grocery stores? Health care clinics? An arts and cultural center and the revitalization of school districts? A bank branch?

It will all be planned out in a weeklong schedule of planning sessions with River Ranch and Teche Ridge designer Steve Oubre and a team of six to seven other designers in a joint effort of the city and SMHA.

New Iberia Mayor Hilda Curry and SMHA executive director Lorna Bourg said the event, called a “charette,” is composed of dynamic planning sessions involving many in the community, including residents, church leaders, business people, law enforcement, utility companies and those considering returning to or investing in the area.

The degree to which the vision that is sketched out by the charette’s end becomes reality, however, depends on the reaction and input from the community.

“Southern Mutual’s philosophy is one of self-help,” said Bourg. “We need to hear from the citizens. Do you want us to come? Do you want our investment? If so, we will join with the city. We will join with you, and your self-help will attract our and other investment.”

The charette will build on the city’s “master plan” and by the plans made by University of Lousiana at Lafayette students in recent years, and will fit into upcoming city projects to install lighting and sidewalks.

It will include a timeline for completion.

Bourg said anyone is welcome to come and give input towards what they envision for the Hopkins Street area, adding it is helpful for organizational purposes if various groups of people can come at different designated times.

Only two events, said small town mayor initiative and housing coordinator Marva Porter, are RSVP only — the breakfast with community and church leaders and the  luncheon with community and church leaders. Porter said these are designed to attract as many senior citizens and those with a sense of the history of the area as possible.

Those interested should RSVP to those two events today by calling the SMHA main number at 367-3277 and asking for Monica Broussard.

SMHA has been instrumental in hurricane recovery in coastal parishes and has the capability to raise large amounts of money for its projects, such as Teche Ridge. They have already raised enough money to fund the charette.

“They whole key is that the community has to buy in,” said Curry. “It’s a hand up, not a hand out.”

Curry said someone asked Oubre why anyone would want to invest in an area suffering from crime and poverty.

“His statement was perfect,” she said. “He said ‘If you have one part of the body that’s ill, you’re not going to just let it die. You’re going to do everything you can to nourish it and bring it back.’ I firmly believe if we can bring that area back up, give them some pride, focus on the positives. We are going to rid the area of some of the crime.”

Bourg said this is a project she’s wanted to begin for at least 15 years.

“It’s such a great history,” she said of the area. “Such a great heritage there — the food, the music and the people. There’s a lot of talent in that community, and a lot of opportunity for the city.”

Bourg said it was critical people come to the opening session for an understanding of what will be going on.

And in general, “just come. Just show up. If we run out of biscuits we’ll go get some more,” she said.

Schedule -

today

5:30 p.m. - Opening social, presentation

Wednesday

7 a.m. - Breakfast with Community and Church leaders

5:30 p.m. - Former Stakeholders in the area can come

Thursday

10:30 a.m. - Business Owners

12:30 p.m. - Community and Church leaders luncheon

2 p.m. - law enforcement/neighborhood watch

6:30 p.m. - residents and neighbors

Friday

9 a.m. - Parks and Recreation

10:30 a.m. - Historic preservation

12:30 p.m. - project critique

4 p.m. - realtors and builders

Monday

More possible meetings scheduled

Oct. 14

4 to 7 p.m. - social and closing presentation