By Sara Judson

Community foundations help people be strategic in their charitable giving and may lead or facilitate civic projects.  Often, philanthropy and civic projects intersect to benefit our communities in Southwest Louisiana.  The Just Imagine SWLA 50 Year Master Resilience Plan is a shining example.  After the devastation of Hurricane Laura, Moss Bluff native David Filo and his wife, Angela, donated 2.5 million dollars to our Community Foundation to help build a more resilient and thriving region.  Their philanthropy allowed the Foundation to partner with a world-class master planning team, citizens across Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes (those most affected by storms) and local governments to create and now implement the Just Imagine SWLA plan.  This year was filled with milestones for the Just Imagine SWLA master plan from a prestigious award to tangible progress on key projects. Here’s a look at the work done this year:

Award-Winning Plan

In late May, the Just Imagine SWLA master plan received an international Charter Award in Urban Design at the 32nd annual Congress for the New Urbanism in Cincinnati. Recognized for its visionary approach, the plan integrates community input and partnerships to drive 11 catalytic projects across Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes. Catalytic projects focus on housing, infrastructure, economic development, community planning, natural and cultural resources. A team from Lake Charles attended the conference to accept the award. At the Congress, the group attended urban design presentations and tours to understand best practices from other communities and bring proven and implementable ideas back to Southwest Louisiana.

Nellie Lutcher Cultural District

In April, the City of Lake Charles unveiled the Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park with the inaugural Nellie Fest. The festival celebrated the park’s namesake, Lake Charles native and jazz icon Nellie Lutcher. This event, along with several others since, brings the community together with live music, food trucks, local vendors. People of all ages who enjoy the entertainment and vibrant mural that highlights the outdoor stage.

Watch for progress right across Enterprise Boulevard as the building of the new, 6,000 square foot Mardi Gras Museum commences in 2025!  The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu launched a unique way for the community to help fund its new and expanded interior displays. Displays will feature stunning Carnival costumes and preserve the rich Mardi Gras traditions of Southwest Louisiana. You can show your support by purchasing a personalized brick or tile at mardigrasmuseum.org, which will become a lasting tribute in the museum’s lush, landscaped courtyard.

National Park Service Spends Week in SWLA 

In July, Just Imagine SWLA, in partnership with the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS-RTCA), celebrated a week of progress highlighting the Bayou Greenbelt project, West Park in DeRidder, and ecotourism in Cameron Parish. All of these projects are part of Just Imagine’s recommendations to promote outdoor recreation, conservation, and resilience in Southwest Louisiana. Bayou Greenbelt enthusiasts joined City of Lake Charles and Community Foundation leaders to cut the ribbon on a new kayak launch at Riverside Park on the Calcasieu River.  The National Park Service team introduced the concept of “Big Little Projects” where citizens, civic clubs, etc. may work together on smaller scale projects, like a hammock park or pollinator garden, that have a big overall impact to enhance our natural spaces.  The spirit of collaboration shined through all gatherings and we look forward to working with people and groups across the region to realize these projects.

Resilient Housing for Lake Charles: A New Neighborhood by Project Build A Future 

Project Build A Future, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing homeownership opportunities in North Lake Charles, broke ground on a new resilient neighborhood across from Combre-Fondel Elementary School. Slated for construction starting February 2025, this neighborhood will showcase resilient housing techniques featuring homes designed to withstand severe storms as part of Just Imagine’s Resilient Housing Toolkit.  The Community Foundation’s Hurricane Recovery Fund provides funds for resilient features to keep home prices affordable for first-time home buyers in the Project Build a Future program.

Mid-City Groundbreaking and Demolition Begins 

In early November, the community celebrated the groundbreaking of Mid-City Lofts and the start of demolition of the former Lloyd Oaks public housing project which mark a major milestone in the Mid-City Neighborhood redevelopment plan. This transformative project includes many partners and funding from a $40 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Grant.  It will boost affordable and resilient housing, enhance infrastructure, and improve our quality of life.

The slab was just poured last week on the $18 million Mid-City Lofts project on the corner of Lake and West 18th. streets.  It will bring 46 disaster-resilient, energy-efficient apartments to the core of the city. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2025. This first phase of the broader plan will pave the way for 562 mixed-income housing units, a new park, improved walkability, and a range of community-focused amenities.

I hope you’re as inspired as I am about the progress for SWLA and that you want to help make it happen.  Follow Just Imagine SWLA and the Community Foundation SWLA on social media channels and sign up for e-newsletters at www.justimagineswla.org and www.foundationswla.org.  You’ll find ways you can be a part of making Just Imagine a reality in 2025 and beyond!

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Sara McLeod Judson is the CEO of the Community Foundation SWLA. She can be reached at 337-491-6688 or sjudson@foundationswla.org.