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| 04/15/2006 6 Months |
| Current Status |
Effective Date |
Comments |
| Included in Recovery Plan |
04/07/2006 |
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The Town of Delcambre, located in the southwestern part of Iberia Parish on the Vermilion Parish border, was among the hardest hit communities by Hurricane Rita. This town of 2,100 had flooding from four to ten feet, damaging or destroying most of the community. More than a third of the residents are elderly, and more than 25 percent of households have an income below 75 percent of the parish’s median household income. This project would directly assist residents to recover, rebuild and resume their lives.
To accomplish this, between February 12-17, 2006, the firm of Duany Planter-Zyberk (DPZ), sponsored by the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), drafted plans and concepts for the redevelopment of Delcambre. A vision for the waterfront received support by both the elected officials and the Twin Parish Port Authority. However, these concepts lack project scoping or a specific development plan to implement this community redevelopment vision.
To complicate matters, the town currently has a budget deficit, a projected shortfall of $100,000, and limited staff. Additionally, the town currently does not have planning and zoning staff. In order to pursue the DPZ proposal, the town needs to obtain professional services to fully and specifically define Delcambres redevelopment.
This project consists of:
• Establishing a plan of action and project timeline, including: community involvement in final plan approval; property owner participation and assistance in buy-out and relocation; determination of HMGP 404 and other funding mechanisms; property owner commitment and applications.
• Scope of work specifics, land area, demolition costs, project cost estimates, creation of public/private partnerships, financing mechanisms.
• Refining, expanding and clarifying DBZ Charettee work to incorporate full town planning, including infrastructure assessment and housing redevelopment.
The entire town and land across the Delcambre Canal in Iberia Parish, was inundated by Hurricane Rita. Less than half of the 2,100 residents have returned, most now live in trailers on their property. The DPZ visioning exercise has helped the Mayor, Council and key stakeholders have hope, and finally see opportunity out of the disaster. Without this planning project, or an infusion of state or federal funded technical assistance, the town will not be able to act on the State efforts to assist the community and actually move forward to rebuild the town.
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