UL Lafayette: CDW: Opelousas: Introduction


				Opelousas: Introduction

				NEXT PAGE TOPICS introduction collaboration studio process urban design gateway streetscape downtown core zydeco square bottom district rexall building conclusion

					Opelousas is a small town in southwest Louisiana with approximately 21,000 residents. The town is situated along Interstate 49 and is the third oldest city in Louisiana. Opelousas is fortunate to have a rich architectural heritage, a good park system, adjacency to I-49, and a vibrant cultural heritage. The most distinguishing feature of the town is its downtown square defining a traditional city center. This distinct downtown core includes a unique art deco courthouse along with a distinctive architectural fabric. Opelousas, as many American small towns, possesses a quality of place developed through traditional architecture and local building practices. Urban sprawl and 20th / 21st century commercialism, however, are threatening these small town traditions. To mitigate these threats, the Community Design Workshop developed six urban projects for the city of Opelousas that include a master plan for the town, a Zydeco Square proposal, the Bottom District proposal, the Rexall Building proposal, and an entry gateway scheme from I-49 to the city center.

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Document last revised Thursday, April 22, 2004 11:24 AM