Opelousas Downtown Master Plan

Introduction

We need your input! The Opelousas Downtown Development District is preparing a master plan that will guide future development and improvements in the downtown area over the next 20 years. Your input is critical to ensure that the final plan reflects the desires of the Opelousas community. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Thank you!

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* 1. Where do you live?

Within Opelousas city limits

Outside Opelousas city limits

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* 2. What is your age?

18 to 24

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 to 74

75 or older

Prefer not to disclose

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* 3. What is your gender?

Male

Female

Prefer not to disclose

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* 4. What is your race or ethnicity?

Asian

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Middle Eastern or North African

Multiracial or Multiethnic

Native American or Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

White

Another race or ethnicity, please describe below

Other

Prefer not to disclose

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* 5. How would you describe Opelousas to a friend now?

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* 6. How would you like to be able to describe Opelousas to a friend in the future?

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* 7. What are downtown Opelousas' most important assets and opportunities? (Select your Top 4)

Historic significance of Opelousas

Local and regional culture

Existing tourism assets

Regional momentum and interest in other communities in Acadiana region

Potential for vacant buildings downtown to become available

Beneficial geography- crossroads of 1-49 and 190, proximity to Lafayette and Baton Rouge

Community character- historic downtown buildings and homes

Existing food industry- Lou Ana, Tony’s, Savoie’s, Targil

Gateway into downtown from 1-49

Existing festivals, as well as past ones that could be revived

Existing active civic/community groups

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* 8. Are there any other assets and opportunities in Downtown Opelousas? Please list them here:

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* 9. What are the most important issues or obstacles facing Downtown Opelousas? (select your Top 4)

Large amounts of vacant property in downtown

Negative perceptions about Opelousas- high crime, bad schools

Not much to draw people in from the highway

The education system is lacking, including adult education options

Not much for families to do, few entertainment options

Frustration with “planning but no action”

Disinvestment in areas north of downtown

Trend in workers at Opelousas businesses living outside of the city if they have the means

Blighted properties, vacant/abandoned buildings

Growth in surrounding areas, especially to the south

The poor condition of infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, parking areas, utilities

Population loss from the core of city, subsequent loss of tax base

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* 10. Are there any other issues or obstacles facing Downtown Opelousas? Please list them here:

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* 11. What are the most important ideas for improving downtown? (Select the Top 4)

Develop a brewery, antique mall, multiples tenants in some of the larger buildings

Develop an event venue for weddings, receptions, reunions, etc

Focus on attracting business investment first “Who cares if the roads are new if there are no businesses along them?”

Improve appearance of downtown with lighting, signage, landscaping, furniture, etc

Create more commercial/office space

Create a small business incubator; focus on niche/cottage industry-type businesses downtown; non-traditional retail

Look to towns in the area for inspiration, like Arnaudville, Grand Coteau, Eunice, Washington, New Iberia

Create new greenspace, while improving existing city parks

Invest in infrastructure to attract investment ”Build it and they will come”

Preserve and promote existing businesses, many of which are multi-generation businesses

Create more programming to get people downtown, like new festivals, revive old events, move existing events to downtown, live music, walking groups, etc

Use legal mechanisms for dealing with vacant/abandoned properties

Create housing options in downtown

Provide Wi-Fi in public areas downtown

Create a destination attraction/restaurant that could draw people in from around the region

Opelousas Downtown Master Plan

Introduction

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* 1. Where do you live?

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* 2. What is your age?

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* 3. What is your gender?

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* 4. What is your race or ethnicity?

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* 5. How would you describe Opelousas to a friend now?

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* 6. How would you like to be able to describe Opelousas to a friend in the future?

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* 7. What are downtown Opelousas' most important assets and opportunities? (Select your Top 4)

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* 8. Are there any other assets and opportunities in Downtown Opelousas? Please list them here:

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* 9. What are the most important issues or obstacles facing Downtown Opelousas? (select your Top 4)

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* 10. Are there any other issues or obstacles facing Downtown Opelousas? Please list them here:

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* 11. What are the most important ideas for improving downtown? (Select the Top 4)

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* 12. What other ideas do you have for improving Downtown Opelousas?

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* 13. Are there other downtown areas or other towns/cities that could serve as a model for improving Downtown Opelousas?

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* 14. Do you have any additional thoughts or ideas?