Port Allen Community Development Corporation

In October 2002, the city of Port Allen, Louisiana, completed its Downtown Revitalization Plan. That plan recommended the formation of a Port Allen Revitalization Task Force. This task force was appointed by the mayor and city council. The group held meetings at Port Allen City Hall. Meetings focused on revitalization efforts for the downtown area of Port Allen. The short-term goal was to conduct public meetings in an effort to create a revitalization plan for the downtown area. The mission of the Task Force was to work to improve the quality of life in Port Allen, Louisiana by stabilizing and then increasing the population through the creation of new, upgraded, and expanded housing and commercial opportunities for the benefit of existing and new residents and to otherwise improve the overall standard of living in the city.

In February 2004, the Port Allen Revitalization Task Force held a public meeting at Scott United Methodist Church in Port Allen to introduce to the public the long-term plan for revitalizing downtown Port Allen. The purpose of the meeting was (a) to present to the citizens of Port Allen the City’s interest in revitalizing areas of Port Allen, (b) to review the background of the first phase of the project, (c) to clarify the revitalization process and its potential outcome, and (d) to exchange input and feedback with the citizens of the downtown area and the remainder of Port Allen regarding Port Allen’s revitalization initiative. Several meetings later, the Task Force settled on the creation of a community development corporation as the most effective means of accomplishing the objectives of community.

In May 2004, the Port Allen Revitalization Task Force reported its findings to the mayor and city council. At its next meeting, the Task Force selected the founding board of directors from a list of nominees provided by the general public. The board of directors are charged with implementing the mission and goals framed by the Port Allen Revitalization Task Force.

In June 2004, the newly selected Board of Directors held their first meeting at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Port Allen. The purpose of the meeting was to present to the Board members the past work of the Task Force and to initiate a plan to begin the work of the Board of Directors. A chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and a treasurer were elected. The Board of Directors will hold meetings once per month. Articles of incorporation and bylaws have been approved, and the Port Allen Community Development Corporation has filed for corporation status with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.

The CDC currently plans to create a revitalization master plan and then a strategic plan for use in implementing the master plan. Interest has been keen regarding the objectives of the CDC, and public sentiment indicates the need to expand activities to cover the entire community after measured success in the Phase I downtown focus area. Fund raising activities are proposed and will be implemented once the board completes its planning efforts and has a strategic plan in place. Phase I revitalization efforts will focus on a 15-block blighted area in the downtown area once data is assembled regarding the property and citizens in that first focus area.

In May 2007, a Ferry Revitalization Plan was submitted to the City of Port Allen as a supplement to the city’s Annexation Plan.