‘Cultural district’ proposal meets with mixed reactions

A proposal to define and establish a “cultural district” in the city of Rayne met with mixed reactions Thursday night.
During a two-and-a-half hour meeting hosted by OneAcadia CEO Laurie Suire, Gaye Hamilton, Cultural Economy Project Manager, state Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, attempted to explain the long-range economic benefits of the 9-year-old state program.
Using success stories from some of the 89 communities across the state that have embraced the program, Hamilton said Rayne and Acadia Parish should be a natural fit since Acadia is situated in the middle of Acadiana and “Acadiana appears to be the cultural hub of Louisiana.”
Suire said the cultural district proposal is a direct result of the May parishwide “Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities” workshop conducted through an EPA Technical Assistance grant.
“That workshop resulted in a Strategic Plan that outlined five goals with defined actions,” Suire said. “Many of those actions point to the components that make up creative placemaking, an initiative that focuses on revitalizing town centers, strengthening the local economy, and connecting community members — in short, changing spaces to places.”
To begin implementing that Strategic Plan, among the first steps is “Asset Mapping,” or identifying our parish strengths and resources through the process of inventorying tangible and intangible cultural assets.”
According to Suire, “Creative Placemaking” fosters economic development because it:
• revitalizes vacant and underutilized land, buildings and infrastructures;
• supports job creation in construction, local businesses and cultural activities;
• expands entrepreneurial ranks of artists and designers;
• trains the next generation of cultural workers;
• attracts and returns non-arts-related businesses and skills; and
• enhances the quality of place and improves the quality of life for residents.
Suire said Rayne’s Depot Square is a natural “focal point” for a cultural district in Rayne.
“You’ve already got a lot going on there with the Farmers Market, which has grown tremendously since the move there and the addition of music,” she said.
With the blessing of the Acadia Parish Police Jury and the cooperation of the Acadia Arts Council, OneAcadia sought $30,000 in grant funding to stimulate economic and community development.
“We received grant funding in the amount of $15,000 — one of only three such grants in the state,” Suire said.
Part of that funding will be used to bring in a professional consultant to assist with details of implementing the plan.
But not everyone seemed to fully embrace the concept.
Prefacing his statement by saying that he does not oppose the establishment of a cultural district in Rayne, Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux said that, without any type of grant program to back it up, the few tax incentives linked to the establishment of such a district probably would not prompt owners of what he called “blighted properties” in the downtown area to refurbish and maintain those properties.
Dr. Eddie Palmer, owner of Antiques on the Avenue, added that he does not believe there is enough interest in “the arts” in Rayne to support a cultural district.
Hamilton and Suire both stressed that, while there is no grant funding attached to the establishment of a district, there also is no associated cost to the city.
Both also stressed that the establishment of a cultural district will not result in immediate changes in the downtown area.
“It took years for some of these success stories to become success stories,” Hamilton said.
“Where’s the harm in establishing boundaries and applying for the district designation?” Suire asked.
Suzette Leonards, Cultural Director for the city, said she would, with the help of a small committee, establish boundaries for a proposed cultural district and complete the application form.
To be accepted, the city council must adopt a resolution supporting the establishment of the district.
The application is due by March 1, according to Hamilton.