St. Tammany News

A number of new developments and planned special events were discussed last week at the Olde Towne Slidell Association meeting.

Eric Dubuisson, president of the Olde Towne Task Force, commented on the recent decision by the Slidell City Council to reallocate $5,000 toward the establishment of the Camellia City Farmer's Market.

John Brown, left, holds up a map of the proposed bike path, while Sue Dorado, right, fields questions during the OTSA meeting on Feb. 19. Their group, Bi-Pac, hopes to establish a bike path through Olde Towne Slidell that will connect with the Tammany Trace. (Staff photo by Anne Lautzenheiser)

"The City Council's support of the Farmer's Market is a positive step toward where we want to be," he said.

The Task Force is the multi-faceted entity behind the city's revitalization efforts and will soon conduct a survey to determine what assets are already in place by photographing every building in the development district.

A second survey, to be conducted with the help of Southeastern Louisiana University, will involve a questionnaire mailed to every commercial and residential property owner in the area. It will address concerns such as lighting, sidewalks and what types of businesses might be considered suitable for the district.

Dubuisson also announced that his group plans to petition the city to pass an ordinance on stand-alone bars.

"We'd like to see any new establishments consist of both a bar and a restaurant, not just a bar by itself," said Dubuisson. "There will of course be a grandfather period for existing bar owners or those planning to open in the very near future."

Slidell Parks and Recreation Director Tara Ingram-Hunter was also on hand and gave an update on two new inspectors hired by her department recently to handle code enforcement on items such as sanitation and signage.

"One of the biggest complaints we've had in the past has been the lack of code enforcement," she said. "Since these two individuals started they have filed 55 complaints in the first week."

YouthTruth, Inc., Marketing and Development Director David Kiviaho addressed the group on the upcoming Expression '08 Truth Expression Festival, to be held at Heritage Park on April 12.

The event will be a fundraiser for the nonprofit agency, which provides mental health and substance abuse services to adolescents and adults in St. Tammany Parish. Acrobats, jugglers and stilt-walkers will perform throughout the day, as will local dance troupes and high school bands, the New Orleans Honeybees and more.

Kiviaho is recruiting food, arts and crafts vendors for the event, which he expects will draw about 500 people. Booths are $115, and those wishing to participate should call 639-8040 by March 12.

Also on hand at the meeting were representatives of Bi-Pac Greenway Alliance, also known as the East St. Tammany Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Committee.

The group is working to establish a walking and biking trail through Olde Towne that will connect with the Tammany Trace at Heritage Park. Currently, the nearest trailhead is at Thompson Road, and the Trace ends near Northshore Square. Sue Dorado, the group's chairperson, outlined the ways in which such a path would improve the quality of life for residents.

"People could ride their bikes to Arts Evening or the Olde Towne Alive block parties," she said.

Dorado also cited research showing that neighborhoods with a trail or park have seen as much as a 15 percent increase in property values.

Bi-Pac received a big boost the following evening from the Tulane Regional Urban Design Center, which made a presentation at Slidell's Municipal Auditorium on Feb. 20.

The center is helping the city create a set of design guidelines to maintain the architectural scale and quality of Olde Towne, while also addressing the impending development along the Fremaux Corridor. As part of that effort, the center has agreed to help the city create a funding proposal for the trailhead and the Trace extension.

Other upcoming Olde Towne events expected to draw much enthusiasm are the return of the Olde Towne Alive Block Party, featuring Johnny J & the Hitmen on March 14, the St. Patrick's Day parade, set to roll at 1 p.m. on March 16 and the Antique Street Fair on April 19.

The St. Patrick's parade will stop for a toast in front of the Victorian Tea Room on Carey Street, recently purchased by Chuck Sabadie and expected to reopen the beginning of April. The parade will also be preceded by a brunch at Chateau Bleu on East Hall Road. Tickets are $20; call 290-5697 for reservations.

This spring should also see the return of the annual Pig Roast, formerly held behind the Olde Towne Soda Shoppe. The new location for the pit barbecue and ice cream event will be behind Lowry Dunham Case & Vivien Insurance Agency on First Street, although a date has not been finalized.

Membership in OTSA is $25 annually. E-mail marydub@charter.net with any questions or suggestions.