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D’IBERVILLE — City officials have brought shopping and entertainment north of Interstate 10 and now are setting their sights on developing D’Iberville’s downtown.
The first of four groundbreakings for city projects south of I-10 is Friday, when shovels will turn at the site of the Town Green. The ceremony be at the old middle school between Central and Church avenues, one block south of Rodriguez.
City Planner Jeff Taylor said this is a good place to start because the Town Green will be the center of the new downtown. A French Acadian-style building will be used to display the city’s culture and history and the grounds will provide a central location for movies on the green and other events.
The next two Fridays will be groundbreakings for the scenic overlook, which will take advantage of the waterfront views, and the Central Avenue improvements. Work to widen the road and bury utilities is creating a new main street for the city.
Taylor said with all this development, the city is considering forming a Main Street Association to promote the downtown. The city’s Smart Growth plan that will guide development in the downtown when it is adopted calls for a mixed-use, walkable area with businesses, housing and casinos.
Developers remain interested in building casino resorts on the waterfront in the downtown area, Taylor said, and they consider D’Iberville’s plans for a French Market next to the casino sites an extra benefit.
The final groundbreaking will be at City Hall, where construction is already under way. City manager Michael Janus said the city staff will move into the new portion of City Hall when it is complete, Then the existing City Hall that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina will be renovated.
Taylor said as the downtown takes shape, city officials will decide where to place the veterans’ memorial, the town clock and a large statue of D’Iberville.
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