CenLamar | Est. 2006

Earlier today, the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce published its legislative agenda for 2007, an 81-page document highlighting several projects that will directly affect the quality of life and the efficiency of services in our region. The report is sweeping in its scope and documents the need for well over $100 million in state and federal appropriations on a wide range of issues.

GULF COAST STRATEGIC HIGHWAY

At the top of the list is a recommendation for $43 million toward the construction and completion of the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway (which may, one day, become Interstate I-14). Quoting from the report:

The Gulf Coast Strategic Highway, an east-west corridor, connecting Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama consists of hundreds of miles of Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET). This vital system, designated by the Federal Highway Administration, in partnership with the Department of Defense, connects military installations with each other and points of departure, such as ports and airports.

STRAHNET provides defense access continuity and emergency capabilities for movements of personnel and equipment in both peace and war. This highway system is used for rapid mobilization and deployment of armed forces in the event of war or peacekeeping activity.

The Gulf Coast Strategic Highway connects Fort Bliss, Fort Hood, Fort Polk and Camp Shelby to the Ports of Beaumont and Corpus Christi and to England AirPark for both training and deployment purposes.

The highway will not only become a logical East-West connection for strategic military bases, facilitating transportation in the case of a natural disaster, it also will help stimulate economic development for our region, allowing Central Louisiana to serve as a hub in the route between Texas and Alabama.

12-FOOT CHANNEL FOR THE RED RIVER WATERWAY

The report then forcefully documents the need for a 12-foot channel in order to increase efficiency for the Red River Waterway. This channel, the report states, is long overdue, as the current 9-foot channel has already become obsolescent by national standards. Because the creation of this channel will increase efficiency, it is financially feasible; that is, the project will eventually pay for itself. The report lays out the following contentions:

• Competition: As long as rail rates drop to meet waterborne rates, industry cannot be expected to change the way they conduct business if they are experiencing the benefits. We must continue to do what is necessary to reduce waterborne rates.
• Authorization of Adjacent Systems:
  ALL Waterways south of Cairo, Illinois, are currently authorized for a 12-foot channel, except our Waterway, to include: Mississippi River, Arkansas River, Atchafalaya River and Gulf Intra Coastal Waterway. Barges destined for our Waterway must be special loaded to 9 foot, creating a great inefficiency for industry and shippers.
• Current Channel Depths: It is estimated that the controlling depth of the Waterway is currently at or exceeds 12 feet for over 90% of the 210-mile system.
• Lock Capability: Each of the five locks on the Waterway is capable of passing 12-foot draft vessels.
• Additional Cargo Capacity: As a ‘rule of thumb’ one barge carries 1,500 tons of cargo, loaded at 9′. Loading a barge to 12′ provides an additional 3′, 1/3 more capacity, or 500 tons per barge. A typical tow for this Waterway pushes 6 barges. Loading to 12′ increases the tonnage for a 6-barge tow from 9,000 tons to 12,000 tons. An important factor is that the same tow and crew would be used keeping the cost the same, effectively providing the user 3,000 tons, of product, ‘free’.
  
• Ecosystem Benefits: Positive impacts due to ‘notched’ dikes, fish habitat and Least Tern habit restoration.
  

The report explains the economic benefits of the construction of this channel. Quoting:

The most important reason to justify a 12-foot channel would be the economics. Estimates comparing the potential cost per ton and savings to industry were considered for various commodities. Rates also vary depending on the port destination, using the Port of Shreveport-Bossier as the example port, which would experience the most savings. The main commodities considered were liquid petroleum, construction stone, fertilizer and coal. Costs per ton will vary depending on type product and product value.

The estimated cost savings would range from $1.50 to $4.00 per ton. Recent shipments of liquid petroleum show that a potential savings of $10,000 per tow would have been realized had there been a 12-foot channel.

Another example of great economic benefit is for a user such as the CLECO and their Rodemacher power plant near Boyce, LA. With the potential to move 3 million tons of coal per year the transportation savings would be a major factor in reduced power rates to customers.

ENGLAND AIRPARK AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA AS A DISASTER RELIEF HUB

A running theme of this year’s report Is the viability of Central Louisiana as a disaster relief hub. The twin tragedies of Katrina and Rita placed a lot of infrastructural stress on our region, and as such, the Chamber has endorsed several recommendations to improve our region’s capacity to handle future relief efforts. The improvement and expansion of runways at England AirPark is considered a top priority.

Located just out of the hurricane impact zone, AEX offers an unparalleled opportunity to make incremental improvements to support previous efforts. Since 1993, AEX has implemented over $125 million of airfield improvements. AEX is now capable of handling 24 C5/747 transports on the ground at any one time. An example of this capacity is that AEX is responsible to Ft. Polk to be able to surge through this facility approximately 1,500 vehicles and 3,000 soldiers within 96 hours.

AEX’s performance during Katrina and Rita validated the concept of supporting this location. During Katrina, AEX never suspended operations. It became the initial response and resupply base for the Coast Guard. Follow on agencies expanded the use of facilities. During Rita, operations were suspended at the airport for a few short hours because of wind speed. No damage was done to the facility. All critical systems are supported by emergency power. As soon as aircraft were approved to fly, AEX was open.

Two critical projects would complete the infrastructure improvements necessary to make AEX a world-class disaster response logistics base. They are: extension of Runway 14/32 and converting Runway 14/32 for a CAT 1 to CAT 2 instrument landing system.

There are a number of benefits to the two projects but they can be boiled down two basic areas. First, the runway extension will allow the largest aircraft to operate from the facility in the hottest weather conditions. Hurricanes happen during the hottest times of the year. This will allow international and domestic aid flights to land and takeoff here and not in Dallas, Little Rock, Shreveport and Jackson as happened in Katrina and Rita. Second, CAT 2 ILS will allow planes to land in all but the very worst weather conditions. When we need the flights the most we can’t be shut down by weather.

The heavy lifting has been done. Funding of these two important projects will complete the construction of one of the finest air facilities in the South. A facility that can move at a moments notice to handle the disaster needs of the Central Gulf Coast.

The Chamber also recommends funding half of a feasibility study for a sports arena and multi-purpose facility to be constructed on the Ruston Foundry site, a location identified by the EPA as a “Superfund Site.”

The City of Alexandria is the most geographically centered municipality in the State and is fast becoming a regional transportation hub. With direct four-lane highway access to five of the eight largest population centers around the State and a new International Airport with daily jet service to Houston, Dallas – Ft. Worth and Memphis, Alexandria is uniquely positioned to provide the economic stimulus that a sports and entertainment venue would bring to the Central Louisiana economy and to serve as a major base of operations for emergency evacuation and relief staging within a FEMA Safe Zone.

As the economic hub to Central Louisiana more that 400,000 residents look to Alexandria on a daily basis for access to shopping, entertainment, medical care and State and Federal government access, etc. In addition, Alexandria’s geographic location and excellent transportation network make it the most logical location for evacuation assistance to those fleeing the hurricane zone and for staging of relief services traveling to the hurricane zone.

During the dramatic events that unfolded following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 it became painfully evident that the existing facilities in Central Louisiana were inadequate to handle the needs of a major disaster. After the 2005 hurricanes many evacuees from the Gulf Coast had to be housed in vacant commercial building spaces such as the former Pineville WalMart, which was totally inadequate even for short-term habitation.

Community leaders have long identified a site locally referred to as the “Ruston Foundry” to be the most well suited location within the City for a large-scale multi-use facility. The Ruston Foundry site is centrally located within the corporate limits of Alexandria and is bordered by Interstate 49, abandoned railway spurs, and an underdeveloped neighborhood in dire need of revitalization.

The Ruston Foundry ceased operation in 1985 and was subsequently identified as a “Superfund” site by the EPA. To date, no significant progress has been made in addressing the hazardous waste remediation required at the site.

For years local government and business leaders have believed that the redevelopment of the Ruston Foundry site from a hazardous blight into a viable asset for economic development, emergency relief and neighborhood revitalization is the single largest challenge facing the City of Alexandria.

As with any challenge, in the beginning there are many more questions than answers. In an effort to begin providing answers for the reuse of the Ruston Foundry site, the City of Alexandria has committed $300,000 of the estimated $600,000 needed to begin answering questions related to the following issues:

• Market Analysis for a Sports/Entertainment Venue; and
• Economic Feasibility for a Sports/Entertainment Venue; and,
• Sports/Entertainment Venue Programming; and
• Evacuation & Emergency Relief Programming; and
• Environmental Hazardous Waste Cleanup Analysis; and
• Environmental Socio-Economic Impact on surrounding neighborhoods; and
• Engineering Feasibility related to transportation, utility and drainage infrastructure; and
• Cost Analysis for Land Acquisition, Hazardous Waste Cleanup, Planning, Design, Construction, and Operations and Maintenance.

FIRE REPOSITIONING

According to the Chamber, the City of Alexandria is also seeking money toward the repositioning of four fire stations. The report aptly argues that due to the construction of I-49, ten cross streets have been closed, subsequently causing a logistical dilemma for the Alexandria Fire Department. Moreover, the growth of the City of Alexandria has precipitated in the need for repositioned fire stations. Quoting:

In the 1980’s the construction of Interstate 49 through the City of Alexandria, caused the closure of over ten (10) cross streets resulting in a major redirection of local traffic patterns. In addition, the Interstate alignment resulted in the relocation of approximately 500 to 600 households creating a large redistribution of housing in the community.

The positioning of the City’s six (6) fire stations were selected and constructed in the late 1950’s and early 1970’s. The location of the Fire Stations were strategically selected to provide quick access to local roadways that could allow for less than 2 miles of travel distance to a majority of the structures within the community. The construction of the Interstate, with the closure of many of the old cross streets, blocked the standard fire engine routes and resulted in a very ineffective positioning of the existing stations. The relocation of large numbers of households to other areas of the City also exacerbated the inefficiency of the public safety equipment deployment.

The need exists to reposition four (4) of the City’s six (6) Fire Stations to result in improved engine and ladder company response times and to create a deployment situation where as many structures as possible would be within a 2 mile road distance from any Fire Station.

The repositioning of four (4) of the City’s six (6) Fire Stations will result in vastly reduced emergency response times, eliminate the segregation of communities from access to timely fire response coverage that resulted from the construction of Interstate 49.

This request is for funding of four (4) repositioned Fire Stations; including site acquisition, design, and construction. No operational expenses are requested.

The estimated total cost for the repositioning of four (4) Fire Stations is $8,500,000.

The funds requested for FY 2008 is $1,300,000.

DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGES

Throughout the past few months, the need for additional downtown parking has been well-documented. This year’s report announces plans for the construction of two parking garages with approximately 600 parking spots. This represents the first time the City of Alexandria has requested funding for parking garages to complement to 20-year-long project of downtown redevelopment.

Funding is being requested to allow the City of Alexandria to construct parking garages to provide 600 spaces to serve the motorists working, visiting, and shopping in the Alexandria Downtown Business District. The lack of adequate urban parking at appropriate locations within the Alexandria Central Business District has hindered the twenty years of effort made by the City, the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Re-development Organizations. Our planning professionals report that centralized parking is needed to create the appropriate synergy required for downtown revitalization. Community leaders have unanimously agreed that the most appropriate solution is the construction of two (2) multi-level parking facilities of appropriate scale to fit into the architectural context of our historic downtown. The project is proposed to be developed within two separated half square blocks providing parking anchors at strategic locations within the Central Business District.

The project will enhance revitalization by acquiring downtown properties that currently house dilapidated structures. The project includes demolition of neglected structures with an effort to preserve selected historic facades. To preserve and enhance the District’s retail potential, the project will include the construction of undeveloped first floor street level retail space, with upper levels providing multi-level parking facilities.

The proposed parking facilities will serve downtown businesses, future retail tenants, downtown hotels, the Riverfront Convention Center, various public building such as City Hall and Library and the Regional Performing Arts Facility.

Funding for FY 2008 is requested in the amount of $2,400,000 for site studies, land acquisition, environmental clearance, surveys, development of plans and specifications, preparation of bid documents and other critical due diligence. The local contribution for FY 2008 will be $1,600,000.

All told, the project is approximately $18 million, $10.8 million of which will come from federal appropriations.

ALEXANDRIA RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

One of the most exciting projects is the Alexandria Riverfront Development Project, which, over the course of the next five years could total $45 million. The project hopes to make Alexandria’s riverfront accessible, livable, and aesthetically pleasing. The request, almost in entirety:

Design Goals:

To Increase access, utilization and enjoyment of the Riverfront by the Citizens of Alexandria and Central Louisiana for recreation and passive activities all related to the aesthetic and scenic attributes of the Red River as a result of the placid pools and increased quality of water from the competition of the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Project.

To Promote “Smart Growth” Opportunities as well as create an improved “Quality of Life” for all age groups. To encourage young families to make Central Louisiana their home – “And once they come here to keep them here”.

The completion of the Riverfront Development Project will have a positive economic impact to the Alexandria / Pineville area:

• By providing more opportunities for new private sector business development.
• By providing new jobs across a broad range of employment opportunities requiring diverse skills.
• By increasing the tax base through new jobs, housing, business transactions, retail sales and value of property.

   

The Major Design Features listed below have been crafted to meet the Goals of the Project:

• Construction of 1.6 miles of Riverfront Improvements which will extend from the O.K. Allen Bridge through the Central Business District under the Alexandria / Pineville Expressway to the existing Bogan Street Park.
• Creation and utilization of a linear park along the Riverfront with Boardwalks, Vertical Edge, Parks, Plazas and Large Open Areas, Tree Shaded and Grass Areas, and other amenities which will attract safe visitation and utilization of the Riverfront Development as a destination people place.
• Creation of an Elevated Warf which will cover the existing rock dikes and provide for additional public use areas extending and connecting the Riverfront Development with existing public facilities at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, Convention Center, and Riverfront Amphitheatre.
• Creation of a Performance Pavilion overlooking the Red River and used for large public events, festivals and gatherings.
• Creation of an protected inlet Marina to provide and support 150 wet slips, fueling station, convenience store for food, ice and beverages, and dry dock boat storage and outfitting facility for another 250 vessels.
• Acquisition and creation of opportunities, sites and facilities for public and private developments consisting of but not limited to riverside / river-view restaurants, and commercial / retail developments. These proposed developments would be located within the project boundaries and / or within close proximity to the public infrastructure created by the Alexandria Riverfront Development Project.
• Acquisition and creation of attractive sites along the riverfront and adjacent riverfront and making them ready for private developments for a variety of uses such as: water parks, pavilions, shops, and other compatible uses.
• Acquisition and creation of attractive sites along the riverfront and adjacent riverfront designated for high density housing along with other related commercial developments and support elements to establish a unique riverside community of urban dwellings in close proximity to the Red River.
• Additions and improvements made to the existing Alexandria Amphitheatre for Public Toilet Facilities with access for the Handicapped. Additional the provisions for a covered performance area including electrical and electronic circuits for lighting and sound controls as well as lighting and sound standards.
• Creation of additional day docking facilities in designated areas along the stretch of the project boundary to facilitate access for the boating public to the other venues in the Downtown area.

The ACEDD has received grants, appropriations and pledges for future funding from Federal and State Agencies, the Red River Waterway Commission and the City of Alexandria totaling approximately $1.8 million:

More resources are needed from the Federal, State and City Governments and other Governmental Agencies to fund the total project as conceptually planned, which is estimated at $42- $45 million.

The extent of the project is limited by the availability of funding. The ACEDD has accumulated and has commitments for a small portion of the required funds, $1.7 million of the $40-$45 million required to complete the project.

Concept Planning:

Initial Concept Planning was completed and presented to various City, State, Federal Agencies and Public Bodies. To complete the initial concept planning, information about Alexandria’s Riverfront was collected and presented using aerial photography, schematic drawing overlays, and architectural concept drawings and renderings.

The basic features and enhancements proposed for the project and riverfront were identified, illustrated and further described using design narratives to provide additional planning and concept information along with the identification of key planning and design issues associated with linear development along a river’s edge in the urban corridor of the city.

After review by City, State, Federal agencies and public bodies, the Concept Plan was adopted and approved by the Board of Directors of the Alexandria Central Development District.

The cost relating to the Professional Design and Engineering Services for the research, preparation, planning, design and presentation of the Concept Plan were allocated as a grant expense and paid for under the provisions of Request Voucher No. 1 for Grant Payments, dated 04 October 2005.

Aerial, Land Topographic and Water Hydrographic Survey Reconnaissance:

As a next step in the development of the project, additional land based aerial and topographic along with water based hydrographic survey information and data is required. Acquisition of accurate survey information will become critical in the next stage of the project for development of a Reconnaissance and Design Memorandum Report.

To facilitate collection of survey information, Scope of Work Tasks were developed to define the criteria, data collection requirements, and final format of the project deliverables required for aerial, topographic and hydrographic surveys.

Proposals were received by ACEDD for the proposed survey work and completion of the survey work is anticipated for completion by September of 2006.

Reconnaissance and Design Memorandum Report:

Subsequent to the completion of the aerial, topographic and hydrographic surveys a next step in project development will be the preparation of a more detailed Design and Engineering Report.

The Reconnaissance and Design Memorandum Report will be used to initiate the design, review and permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A Design Reconnaissance and Memorandum Report will be prepared and submitted to the Corps of Engineers for review, comment and ultimate approval. The Report will show more detailed design and engineering information.

Based on the Corps of Engineers’ comments, a final design and completion of the construction documents will be completed to move the project forward and take it into the next phase of the project development.

Economic Impact Report:

At the completion of the Design Memorandum Report, a Consultant specialized in conducting feasibility and economic impact studies will be engaged to investigate and document the opportunities presented by this project. A Report will be prepared and it will be used to support the project for:

• Additional Federal and State Funding.
• Provide technical and economic justification for the Corps of Engineers, Levee Boards, the Red River Waterway Commission and other reviewing agencies.
• Attract / Enhance Private Sector Investments.
• Create Private Sector Investment for High-density Housing and Commercial Developments.
• Accelerate the proposed construction date of Spring 2009.

The Economic Impact Report will quantify the economic impact derived from public funding and private sector opportunities for economic development – consisting of high-density housing and new commercial development.

Challenge for Additional Funding and Appropriations:

The challenge after completion of the Design Memorandum Report will be to obtain more funds and appropriations for the completion of Design and Construction.

Detailed Design and Economic Impact Reports will be presented to City, State and Federal Government as well as the Red River Waterway Commission to seek additional funding and appropriations.

Requests have been made to Federal Agencies for an additional increment of funding for completion of the first phase of construction.

Scope of Work Complete for this Project Up-Date Narrative Report No. 2:

The following Phase(s) have been completed and or work is under way during this reporting period.

Phase I-A    Conceptual Design (Completed)

    Refer to – Completion of Concept Planning

Phase I-B    Aerial, Land Base and Hydrographic Surveys (Completed)

    Refer to – Aerial, Land Topographic and Water Hydrographic Surveys

    Scope of Work Defined

    Proposals received from Vendors

    Notice to Proceed with Survey Work

    Completion and Delivery of Work to ACEED Design Consultant

Phase I-C    Reconnaissance and Design Memorandum (In Process)

    Refer to Section – Reconnaissance and Design Memorandum Report

    Scope of Work to be Defined

    Schematic Design of Design Features

The report also mentions requests for Allen Parish, North Rapides, Olla, Ft. Polk, and other municipalities. Additionally, it requests monies for a sewer study and additional monies for the construction of a sewage treatment facility in West Alexandria.