Informer: Downtown banner permits granted by the city
Published 4:05 pm Wednesday, April 6, 2022
- A worker with the city of Lake Charles exchanges Mardi Gras banners on the downtown Ryan Street lampposts for ones promoting the upcoming Louisiana Pirate Festival. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press)
How many times are the banners on the downtown lightposts changed out during the year and what are the themes of the banners used?
The city of Lake Charles operates a light pole banner program as a place-making component primarily for the Downtown and Lakefront Special Districts.
This program is established by Ordinance 13-13, said Katie Harrington, public information officer for the city.
Banner permits are granted by the city to commemorate festivals, centennial celebrations of businesses and other special events. Applications for banner permits are made through the Downtown Development Authority/City of Lake Charles Permit Center.
Harrington said banners are changed out seasonally on about 175 city-owned banner arms along several downtown streets — including Ryan Street, Mill Street, Division Street, Pujo Street and Lakeshore Drive.
“Banners are also periodically changed along the Lakefront Promenade and Gill Street Extension through the Lake Charles Civic Center grounds,” Harrington said.
Applicants are responsible for providing proposed artwork, including the color scheme with a $25 permit application fee. Upon approval, applicants are responsible for getting the banners produced and city of Lake Charles Public Works crews install the banners throughout the year.
Permission to hang banners is granted on a first-come, first-served basis and banner permits are granted for a maximum of one season per year for a 6-8 week period.
The banner schedule for 2022 includes the following:
January – Mardi Gras and Krewe Banners
April – Louisiana Pirate Days
May/June – Downtown at Sundown
July – Patriotic
August – Downtown/Historic Clock Tower
September/October – Arts in Autumn
November/December – Holiday
For more information on securing a banner permit, call the Downtown Development Authority at 337-491-1542 or email lmarinovich@cityoflc.us.
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Informer is written by Crystal Stevenson, American Press executive editor. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.
