Downtown project officially begins

By Howell Dennis

CITY EDITOR

CROWLEY – In what was called “a dream that is finally coming through”, local officials, downtown businessmen, and several Crowley residents braved the heat Thursday morning to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Historic Parkerson Avenue Redevelopment Project.

Mayor Greg Jones welcomed those in attendance and thanked Crowley residents for their patience and support in what will be “a huge undertaking”. He showed his appreciation to former Crowley Mayor Isabella delaHoussaye and City Engineer Tim Mader.

“This project began in no small part to Isabella’s vision,” he said.

Next up to speak was delaHoussaye who thanked Mayor Jones and his administration for continuing to move forward on the project.

“I think I would have had to kill them all if they hadn’t followed this up,” she joked.

DOTD District Engineer Administrator Bill Fontenot noted how the city of Crowley showed impressive cooperation in getting the project underway.

“Sometimes it’s awkward to give too much credit to the former mayor when the current mayor is standing here, but this was a complete group effort and it’s been impressive to see how everybody here has worked together,” Fontenot said.

“I would also like to recognize the hard work that Merrick Construction has been, and will be putting in during the next few months,” he added.

Chamber of Commerce President Kayla Link expressed her excitement about the city’s commitment to the downtown area and noted that it “is an extremely vital part to Crowley’s economy”.

Other speakers included former State Representative Gil Pinac and Main Street Board President Raynell Gilder.

Mayor Jones made his closing remarks brief.

“Thank you for coming - it’s hot,” he said as those in attendance moved quickly into the city hall building for a reception.

The invocation and the benediction were delivered by Reverend Jimmy Broussard.