City edges closer to implementing alleyway piece of Downtown Master Plan, discusses raising budget for abated properties

The Downtown Master Plan (DMP) is moving closer to being approved and implemented. At the Community and Economic Development committee meeting on Monday evening, Urban Development Director Nikki Howard discussed also using planning consultants Ochsner Hare & Hare for the design and engineering services for the DMP West Alley Enhancement Project, which will be one of the first pieces of the plan to be executed. It “would be nice to continue working with them,” said Howard. 

City Attorney David Widdoes said that he and City Manager Joan Riley “talked about going out for proposals [from other firms], but we’re so impressed and satisfied with OHH. They make the logical sense to be the ones to do it.”