Lake Charles Recognized for Construction Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patrick Moore, (318) 445-2825
Date: September 24, 2009

Moore Planning Group Client City Named Nation’s Strongest Construction Market

Lake Charles, Louisiana, a Moore Planning Group client city, was named the nation's strongest construction market according to BusinessWeek magazine. In a September 17 article, the publication singled out Lake Charles for having the highest increase in building permits issued in the country between 2008 and 2009. Permits were up nearly 123%, thanks to new housing, expanding industry and other building projects.

After Hurricane Rita caused billions in damage to Lake Charles in 2005, the city received support from the Louisiana Recovery Authority for a sweeping community master plan. In particular, the plan created a new strategy for the city’s underdeveloped lakefront and downtown. Moore Planning Group was hired to create an implementation strategy to ensure the master plan came to fruition. MPG’s Lakefront Development Action Plan (LDAP) has helped Lake Charles stay track, locate resources and prioritize projects for long-term success.

“After Rita, Lake Charles committed to doing something beyond just rebuilding – they wanted a new direction,” said MPG Managing Principal Patrick Moore. “Our work in helping the city get there has been groundbreaking and gratifying.”

LDAP has been called “a new breed of plan” because of its laser-focus on action and implementation. In June, two of city’s projects officially commenced, a $3.7 million lakefront promenade and a $1.75 million marina. The promenade includes new lighting, seating, walkways, landscaping and interpretative signage, and provides better connectivity from the lake to the adjacent downtown. The marina includes a new slip and boathouse to help draw recreational boaters from the region.

In addition to LDAP, Moore Planning Group also designed the Lake Charles Seven Parks Project, the simultaneous renovation of seven public parks, one in each council district. The project was completed in summer 2009 and is expected to improve neighborhood property values and help spark continued private investment in the city.

Click here to see the BusinessWeek article.