Port of Lake Charles Executive Director William Rase. (Donna Price / American Press)
Port of LC interested in talking to city about lakefront property
Last Modified: Thursday, May 31, 2012 2:28 PM
By Eric Cormier / American Press
If the deal with Mardi Gras Boardwalk fails to come to fruition, the Port of Lake Charles is willing to talk with Lake Charles City Hall about joining together and creating a “Kemah, Texas style” development on nine acres of lakefront property.
Port Executive Director William Rase told the American Press on Wednesday that the maritime agency did not have enough time to develop a proposal that the City Council could review.
Tuesday was the deadline for development proposals and monetary bids on the land. Lake Charles Mardi Gras Boardwalk was the only company that made an offer.
Port officials sent a letter, dated May 29 (deadline day), to the City Council, expressing a desire to talk about development opportunities for the property.
“Not by any means are we saying the city should not pay attention to the Mardi Gras Boardwalk folks. If that is what they want to do, that’s fine. But we are saying, if you (city) don’t do whatever you’re considering, we would be interested in talking,” Rase said.
Lamar Berry, a member of Mardi Gras Boardwalk’s management team, said he understands why the port would express interest in working with the city to develop the land.
“I would think that’s the reasonable thing for the port to do. If they know the city is in a serious dialogue with anybody, and then that dialogue does not pan out, it would make sense for the port to let the city know all is not lost,” he said.
The Roach administration asked the City Council to form a special committee to meet with port officials. On Tuesday, City Council President John Ieyoub appointed himself, Councilwoman Luvertha August and Councilman Mark Eckard to serve on the committee.
That decision has been questioned by Councilman Dana Jackson, who does not see the need for any discussion since the deadline for proposals passed this week.
Rase said a formal proposal was not offered.
“We (the port) just started talking about it and felt we have something to offer and would like to talk to the city about the possibilities,” he said. “This is just an open door to talk and not more specific than that.”
In its letter to City Hall, port officials explained their interest in providing financing for infrastructure improvements on the nine-acres.
The port also suggested that the architect who designed the National Hurricane Museum, which is supposed to be built on nearby property, be used “to ensure that such a development is implemented in a way that enhances the museum, and vice versa.”
Posted By: amused observor On: 6/1/2012
Title: what took so long????!!
that property should have been developed as a "kemah" style attraction a long time ago!!! SHELL BEACH DRIVE WON'T LET IT HAPPEN, JUST WATCH!!!
Posted By: Doug On: 5/31/2012
Title: Finest Real Estate In LCH
Whatever the city decides, I would hope that WONDERFUL SHOWPLACE of property will show passers-by that our town is not still run by STUPID, as it does now.
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