The community identified the need for a storm shelter and evacuation center, and space for community events and activities. Most participants at the second community meeting also indicated willingness to pay a tax or fee to support operational costs.
The facility will include a storm shelter and evacuation center, and space for community events, meetings, classes, performing arts, and other community-oriented activities. The community center would be built above the 500-year flood level, and capable of withstanding storm impacts.
Community members will have access to a safe, accessible facility in which to take shelter during a disaster. The community will also have access to a venue for community events, meetings, and other activities. This project impacts all community members and addresses their recovery vision statement.
The Community Center could include:
- Storm evacuation center
- Emergency operations center
- Satellite office space for health and social services
- Venue for community events
- Classrooms/meeting rooms
- Commercial kitchen
- Theater/arts/music
- Boys & Girls Club
This project also supports or enhances:
- Ability to recover from future disaster events
- Hazard mitigation
- Social and economic resiliency
- Community development
Next steps:
- Organize a steering committee
- Conduct a readiness assessment to determine the need and ability to support ongoing operations
- Secure a location
- Raise funds
Possible Funding Sources, Technical Assistance, and Partners:
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs
- Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery
- Praxair Foundation
- Louisiana State University – AgCenter
Estimated Cost: High ($1 million+)
Estimated Timeline: Long term (3+ years)
During the second community meeting, participants ranked this project at 7.83 out of 10 with respect to level of importance.
