UL students present visions for Talley site

Graduate architecture students from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette showcased their ideas for the future development of the city-owned Talley property along Bayou Teche during a gathering of local officials and civic leaders last week.

The April 3 event at the Maison Duchamp was hosted by the city’s Main Street Association, represented by Blake Douet.

UL architecture instructor Ashlie Latiolais explained that a dozen or so UL students spent several months developing three possible scenarios for the property as part of the architecture department’s Urban Design Studio project. They met several times with city officials, and conducted on-site surveys of the property, which is partially bounded by Hamilton and Columbus streets on the south and west.

She said the work gave the students the opportunity to actually interact with a client on a real world project.

One plan would include two short wharfs projecting at an angle into Bayou Teche, a large open area, a central building where art could be exhibited, an outdoor stage and buildings that would combine commercial shops and residences along the north and west borders of the park.

Another plan would incorporate the old St. John bridge and recall the town’s railroad history centered around a pedestrian park that would include a splash pad for youngsters.

Also included in this plan are small retail outlets, a fresh market and flea market area, a small hotel, fitness center, boat launch and limited RV parking.

The third plan features a bayou-side board walk along the entire length of the property and also provides RV parking. A playground would border a kayak/canoe launching area and a hotel would be situated along Columbus Street.

This plan also provides for a plaza and splash pad as well as commercial structures along the perimeter of the site.

All three plans accommodate the St. John Restaurant being developed at the corner of Hamilton and New Market Streets. The plans also call for the closing of Madison Street east from its intersection with Columbus and New Market from its intersection with Madison to Hamilton.

All plans provide for limited public parking and would accommodate the various festivals that are already behind held on the property.

In presenting their plans, the students emphasized the goal of bringing both local residents and visitors into the park to enjoy the bayou-side property and appreciate the city’s downtown historic attractions.

Both Douet and Mayor Thomas Nelson thanked the UL students for their work and praised the plans presented.

Although no cost estimates were attached to any of the plans, Mayor Nelson said the proposals “give us something to work with.”