Charrette on Shoe Creek TND in Central

Steven Oubre and his colleagues spent several days in Central in December conducting a charrette on the proposed new Shoe Creek Traditional Neighborhood Development.

The 138-acre mixed-use development on Sullivan Road across from Wal-Mart would include 366 single-family detached residences and more than 68,000 square feet of commercial space.

Central Mayor Jr. Shelton came away impressed.  “This is a development in the tradition of River Ranch in Lafayette, and it would be done by the same people who developed River Ranch.  So it should be an outstanding project.  They could have located anywhere in the state, and we are fortunate to have this opportunity presented to us,” Shelton said.

Oubre said the project would have retail and probably a grocery store facing Sullivan with a City Hall-type structure behind it with a square larger than Jackson Square in New Orleans.  The residential area would spread west across Shoe Creek and include tree-lined boulevards.  Mixed use would allow commercial activities in some residential areas.

Setbacks for each street would vary, depending on its character and some streets would allow parking.  All residences would have underground utilities and alleyways for services.  House types would include townhouses, cottages, and village houses.

The density would be 4-5 homes per acre.  Codes would carefully determine the materials, colors, and types of construction permitted.  Five contractors will be certified to do construction.  Oubre said the project will take 7-8 years to complete.