The community identified the need to create an environment conducive to shopping, arts, dining and preservation of our proud history. The community also identified the need to bring community events and activities to the Main Street District.
Included in the project will be any means of improving visibility in the Antique Village and making it accessible for night events. Lighting will create a safe environment for shopping at all hours.
Diverting traffic from Antique Village will make it a walkable place to shop, visit, and relax. This will help draw tourist to the area making it a feasible place to have street entertainment and festivals. Main St. will be enhanced with shade trees and green stormwater infrastructure to help with the flooding and beautification.
The community came together during the flood. No matter what economic status or race the flood did not discriminate and neither did the community when it came to pitching in and helping during and after the disaster. The community needs a place and reason to gather and stay united not only in times of disaster but also on a regular basis to maintain that connection.
Community members will have a safe, visible, accessible Main Street. The goal is to revive the historic foundation of the city while creating a unique and vibrant place to live. This project impacts all community members and addresses the recovery vision statement.
Full Denham Springs Downtown Market Analysis 2017
The Main Street Revitalization Program has a four-point approach for successful place-making.
- Museum Enhancement
- Create a permanent exhibit on local history and flood stories & quarterly feature exhibit.
2. Spring Park Restoration & Enhancement
- Restore Pavilion
- Refurbish Spring & beautify surrounding area, add seating
- Restore parking
- Research opportunities for connections to the river.
- Restore hiking trails
- Add Historic markers and educational displays
3. Main Street District Enhancements
- Street beatification, street trees, and green infrastructure for better drainage
- Period appropriate lighting
- Welcome and wayfinding signs
- Build a venue for music events and possibly close Mattie Street
- Building façade improvements
- Implement traffic calming measures
- Add street trees, street furniture and street beautification
4. Increase activity in the Main Street
- Promote the district as a destination
- Increase the number of music, cultural and arts events
This project also supports:
- Hazard mitigation
- Social and economic resiliency
- Community development
Possible Partners, Funding Sources, Technical Assistance, and Other Resources:
- Keep Livingston Beautiful
- Livingston Parish Master Gardeners
- Denham Springs Garden Club
- Denham Springs Green
- Denham Springs Main Street
- Livingston Arts Council
- Louisiana Main Street Program
- LA Division of Historic Preservation
- Denham Springs Fine Art Association
- Booth-Bricker Fund
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Project for Public Spaces
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- National Park Service
Estimated Timeline: Long term (3+ years)
Estimated Cost: High ($1M+)
During the second community meeting, participants ranked this project at 8.60 out of 10 with respect to level of importance.
