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Slidell recognized with Excellence Award from American Planning Association Louisiana Chapter for Olde Towne Slidell Main Street Master Plan

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer is proud to announce that the City of Slidell is the recipient of the Excellence Award for a Plan from the American Planning Association Louisiana Chapter (APA-LA) for the city’s Olde Towne Slidell Main Street Master Plan. Each year, the APA-LA recognizes a plan that focuses on a specific area or topic with an emphasis on plans that advance the science and art of planning.

The Olde Towne Slidell Main Street Master Plan was developed in 2022 by Philip Walker with the Walker Collaborative. At a Main Street conference in 2021, Mayor Cromer attended a presentation featuring Walker and was impressed with his knowledge and experience of developing master plans. Walker was an integral part of designing plans for cities such as Covington, LA; Topeka, KS; Starkville, MS; and Natchez, MS. The City of Slidell hired Walker as a consultant to design a plan to revitalize the Olde Towne Slidell Main Street area.

Johnny Bordelon, from JV Burkes & Associates and Daniel McElmurray, Slidell Planning Director, accept the Planning Excellence Award on behalf of Mayor Cromer and the City of Slidell

Walker held numerous public meetings and charettes with elected and city officials; Olde Towne residents, businesses, and property owners; Olde Towne organizations; stakeholders and members of the public. Important issues such as parking, streetscape projects, signage, lighting, special events, and connecting Olde Towne to Heritage Park were discussed. The final master plan was based on the public input from each of the public meetings.

Since the initiation of the plan in late 2022, several projects have already been completed. New directional signage on I-10 and I-12 were added by LADOTD along with signage on Fremaux Avenue and Hwy. 11 added by the city, help both residents and visitors locate the Olde Towne Slidell Main Street area. And brick paver crosswalks installed at several of the main intersections in Olde Towne help improve pedestrian safety and make Olde Towne Slidell Main Street more walking friendly.

“The City of Slidell is honored to receive this award from the American Planning Association. We had a lot of great input and support from the public and the fact that we were able to complete several of the projects helped our plan stand out from the rest,” said Mayor Cromer. “I would like to thank Phil Walker and his team at the Walker Collaborative, Olde Towne Slidell Main Street, and the Slidell departments of Planning, Building Safety, Engineering and Public Operations for all of their hard work on this project. But most importantly, I want to thank all of the Olde Towne residents, businesses, organizations and the members of the public who participated in this process by sharing with us their vision for Olde Towne Slidell Main Street.”

Olde Towne Slidell Main Street is a non-profit organization with the mission to help preserve and enhance the historic and economic integrity of the Olde Towne Slidell Main Street District, and promote Olde Towne Slidell as a center of cultural activity with a cohesive community identity. As a Main Street America™ accredited program, Olde Towne Slidell Main Street is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

“Congratulations to Mayor Greg Cromer and the City of Slidell for winning this award,” said Beth Bowman, President of Olde Towne Slidell Main Street. “Main Street is so appreciative that the City of Slidell understands the important role that Olde Towne Slidell Main Street plays in our community. We are excited about all the progress that has been made in the Main Street district, and even more excited about the improvements to come in the future.”

The complete Olde Towne Slidell Main Street Master Plan can be viewed at MySlidell.com/cultural-and-public-affairs/olde-towne-slidell-main-street-master-plan.

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Mayor Cromer and city officials unveil new improvements at the Terrace Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer was joined by city officials this morning to cut the ribbon and unveil all of the new improvements at the Terrace Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2023.
The improvements to the Terrace Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) include construction of a completely new headworks facility and rehabilitation of major, critical equipment utilized by the plant to treat sewage to acceptable levels for discharge into the environment.
This project was funded through a Department of Environmental Quality State Revolving Fund Loan. The total cost of the project is $8.8 million. The project engineer is H. Davis Cole & Associates, LLC.
The Terrace Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant has enjoyed a long standing record of compliance with the requirements of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). With LDEQ requirements becoming increasingly strict with regards to the protection of the environment, this significant investment into the WWTP represents a proactive approach to compliance with regulations putting the City of Slidell ahead of the curve and continuing its record of compliance far into the future.
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New tennis courts now open at the Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer was joined by members of the Slidell City Council, Slidell Tennis Association and the public on Monday, Oct. 2, to officially open the new Henry J. Calamari Tennis Center in Slidell.

The new tennis facility now includes eight tennis courts, a small pavilion, and new walkways that allow easy access to restroom facilities and Veterans Memorial Park. The City broke ground in February of 2023 and construction was completed in September 2023. The tennis courts were designed by Kyle Associates, LLC, and built by Cobalt Construction, Inc. for a cost of $2.4 million.

“This is one of the premier tennis facilities in our area. We wanted to make sure that this was a first class facility for our community and we fortunately had some surplus money and grant opportunities to make this project a reality,” said Mayor Cromer. “These new tennis courts, along with the planned outdoor pickleball courts and skate park at John Slidell Park, shows that we listen to what the public asks for. We heard you and we delivered!”

The original tennis courts were built in the 1960s. Over the years, the old courts were repaired and resurfaced numerous times, but the crumbling concrete slabs eventually needed to be replaced. When the orginal courts opened, it cost $1 an hour to play, and players had to go to Slidell City Hall to reserve a court and purchase the ticket. Over the years, Mr. Henry Calamari and his wife Gayle organized many family fun play days, tournaments, and United States Tennis Association events on the courts. They were both instrumental in forming the Slidell Tennis Association in 1977.  Their daughter, Julie Calamari Champagne, taught junior tennis camps during the summers and has been teaching those camps for the last 29 years. She has also been the tennis coach for Pope John Paul II High School for the last 29 years, and Pope students have been practicing on the courts for 40 years.

In 1995, Mr. Calamari tragically passed in a boating accident. Former Mayor Sam Caruso and the Slidell City Council voted to rename the tennis courts in his honor. On Sept. 24, 1995, the Sidell Tennis Courts were officially named the Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center.

The tennis courts are located at 2600 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. The courts are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information about the Slidell Tennis Association, please visit their website at SlidellTennis.com.

 

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UPDATE: Boil Water Notice issued rescinded for small section of Gause Blvd.

UPDATE: The Boil Water Notice has been lifted.

The City of Slidell has issued a Boil Water Advisory due to a loss of pressure while repairing a water main for the following addresses:

  • 1662 Gause Blvd. – TA Truck Stop
  • 1682 Gause Blvd. – Red Roof Inn

All affected addresses have been notified by the City of Slidell. The Boil Water Advisory will be in effect until the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals analyzes all the water samples. It usually takes several days. Everyone will be notified once the advisory has been lifted.

For more information on what to do during a Boil Water Advisory: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory.html.

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The Bucktown All-Stars celebrate Bayou Jam’s 20th anniversary with free concert on Friday, Oct. 6

The City of Slidell is proud to welcome back the Bucktown All-Stars when they return to Heritage Park on Friday, Oct. 6, to help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bayou Jam Concert Series. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free.
“The Bucktown All-Stars played at the very first Bayou Jam concert and we are truly honored that they are returning to help us celebrate Bayou Jam’s 20th anniversary,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “We want to remind everyone that Bayou Jam concerts are now on Friday evenings, so come start your weekends with us in Heritage Park with some great music, food, and fun!”

The Bucktown All-Stars have been performing since 1992. They are a brass-driven New Orleans band specializing in 1960s Classic R&B and Soul, ’70s Funk and New Orleans jams.  They are a multi-year winner of Gambit Reader’s Poll, “Best Band That Doesn’t Fit Any Of These Categories” and the ten time winner of the prestigious Offbeat Magazine Best of the Beat Awards. The horn-powered All-Stars’ New Orleans shows are legendary in the Crescent City and surrounding areas. Their raspy vocals, rollicking piano, and corrupt horn section fuel an unorthodox mix of second line funk and Motown soul. For more information about the band, visit their website at bucktownallstars.com.

Bayou Jam concerts are are held on select Friday evenings in September and October. Guests are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. Scout BSA Troop 562 and Dat Fiyah Food Truck will be onsite selling great food and drinks for a nominal charge.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series concludes on Friday, Oct. 27 with the Bayou Jam Halloween Bash with Vince Vance and the Valiants.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series is produced by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs with the assistance the departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Operations. These Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and Louisiana Cultural District events are sponsored by the City of Slidell’s 2023/2024 Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine and the Lake 94.7; Plus+ Publications; The Slidell Independent; Slidell Magazine; Slidell Savings Magazine; Councilman Bill and Laura Borchert; Lori’s Art Depot; Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency; CiCi’s Pizza; Mayor Greg Cromer; Pizza Platoon and Slidell Historic Antique Association.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and sign up for our e-news updates, and follow us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

In the event of inclement weather, please check the city’s website or Facebook page for the latest information. Cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

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Romualdo Costa celebrates a century of art at new Slidell Cultural Center exhibit

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer is inviting the public to view the City of Slidell’s newest art exhibit, “Romualdo Costa: A Century of Faith, Love and Art.”

Romualdo Costa is a 105 year old world-renowned artist who has recently made Slidell his home. And the public will have a chance to meet the artist on Friday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. during the opening reception at the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall.

“Mr. Costa is an incredible artist and the City of Slidell is grateful that he is sharing his God-given talent with our community,” said Mayor Cromer. “My thanks to the Slidell Commission on the Arts for bringing another great exhibit to the George Dunbar Gallery.”

The exhibit will remain on display through October 26. Gallery hours are Mondays – Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm by appointment only. Please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at(985) 646-4375 to schedule a viewing.

“We owe a big thank you to Kevin Chiri and the Slidell Independent for helping us discover Mr. Costa and his amazing artwork,” said Alex Carollo, Director of the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. “Mr. Chiri ran a front page feature story on Mr. Costa earlier this year when he was celebrating his 105th birthday, and the department and the Slidell Commission on the Arts were so inspired by Mr. Costa’s artwork that we knew we needed to invite him to display his works in the Slidell Cultural Center so the public could view his works. We were honored that he agreed to share his incredible talents with all of us!”

Read more about Mr. Costa in the original Slidell Independent story here.

The George Dunbar Gallery at the Slidell Cultural Center is located on the first floor of Slidell City Hall at 2055 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. Admission is free.

 

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Request for Public Review and Comment for CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report

The City of Slidell invites public review and comment on the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Program Year (PY 2022) of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).  The CAPER provides a summary of accomplishments and status of projects proposed during the 2022-2023 CDBG program year, and it summarizes the overall progress made in implementing goals and objectives identified in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.

The City invites public comment from Wednesday, August 30, 2023 to Friday, September 15, 2023.

A copy of the CAPER may be viewed at the City of Slidell Planning Department; 250 Bouscaren Street, Suite 203; Slidell between the hours of 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays; and  a summary of the CAPER may be viewed on line.

Citizens may submit their views and comments by email at cdbg@cityofslidell.org, by phone (985) 646-4320 or in writing to the following:  The City of Slidell Planning Department; Attention: CDBG; 250 Bouscaren Street, Suite 203; Slidell, LA 70459.

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White Linen and Lagniappe 2023 Digital Brochure – see what’s happening where in Olde Towne

Check out everything that’s happening for White Linen and Lagniappe! Join us in Olde Towne Slidell this Saturday, August 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free!

(Save the picture on your phone and use it as a digital map and brochure for the event.)
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Street closures in Olde Towne on Saturday August 12 for White Linen and Lagniappe

In preparation for White Linen and Lagniappe on Saturday, August 12, 2023, the City of Slidell is announcing that several streets in Olde Towne Slidell will be closed to traffic for this event.

On August 12, some Olde Towne streets will begin closing 6 a.m. Streets affected include areas of First Street, Erlanger Avenue, Second Street, Carey Street and Robert Street. Access to the U.S. Post Office in Olde Towne will not be obstructed.

From 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be limited access to Olde Towne via First Street, Bouscaren Street and Cousin Street for the Camellia City Farmers Market and for Olde Towne businesses.

At 1 p.m. all street will be closed so that artists, businesses and bands can start setting up for White Linen and Lagniappe.

Citizens should not park within the White Linen and Lagniappe street closure area on Saturday, August 12 from 1 to 10 p.m. For public safety, bollards will be placed throughout Olde Towne and any vehicles left inside the bollards will not be able to leave Olde Towne until the bollards are removed at 10 p.m.

Many Olde Towne business will be open for business on Saturday, August 12, but citizens should be prepared to park and walk to get to their favorite business.

Mayor Greg Cromer invites citizens to come view the works of over 50 artists and arts organizations that will be on display at over 30 locations throughout Olde Towne during White Linen and Lagniappe, plus live entertainment, hot food and cold drinks, antique and boutique shopping, and lots of lagniappe.

For more information about White Linen and Lagniappe, please visit the city’s website at MySlidell.com or call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.

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Slidell’s Antique Umbrella Alley “opens” on August 12 during White Linen and Lagniappe

Republished with permission from Slidell Magazine.

Get ready! Louisiana’s first Umbrella Alley is coming to Olde Towne Slidell!

Named Antique Umbrella Alley, the vibrant art display consists of over 80 brightly colored umbrellas suspended over First Street in the Antique District of Olde Towne. The name “Antique Umbrella Alley” was chosen to denote the specific location of Slidell’s newest tourism attraction, as well as setting it apart from other Umbrella Alley’s across the globe. The 7.5 ft wide patio umbrellas with colors of red, orange, lime green, baby blue, lavender and navy blue will hang from suspension wires crossing the street at 10 foot intervals. Lighting will also be strung across the wires, making Slidell’s newest tourism attraction an enjoyable experience day or night!

The idea for Antique Umbrella Alley was born on a trip to Cartagena, Columbia, where Sophie Mauffray-Howell snapped a pic and sent it to her parents, Laura and Slidell Councilman Bill Borchert. The dynamic art display immediately piqued their interest. Searching the internet, they found Umbrella Alleys across the globe, each with their own individual, local flair.

“We loved it. We could see it was a big draw for tourists and locals. It was a destination spot and made for great pictures. I couldn’t wait to find a way to get it done in Slidell,” Bill says.

Bill searched for a Slidell location that had the look and feel that would compliment the unique art project. Laura suggested the quaint streets of the Antique District, particularly First Street, where the narrow one-way street would lend to the ambiance of an umbrella “alley”.

“I loved the concept; but of course, funding is always the big question,” Bill noted. He showed cell phone pictures of umbrella alleys throughout the world to the shop owners in the Antique District to gauge their interest while he settled in for the long and uncertain wait for potential grant money.

“We knew we wanted it on our street as soon as we saw the photos,” Antique Association president Cindy Fisk says. The Slidell Historical Antique Association is a small, but mighty, group of businesses and individuals located in the Antique District of Olde Towne (Erlanger and First streets). The Association has two major events each year, the Fall and Spring Slidell Street Fairs. The fair is free to the public, with over 315 vendors paying booth fees for the weekend. With this revenue, in addition to dues paid by their members, the Antique Association had been actively looking for a large capital investment that would benefit the District by attracting more visitors and shoppers to the area.

The Antique Association offered to pay for the display and its construction, plus maintain the umbrellas in the future. Even with a price tag of more than $45,000, the decision was an easy one. “It’s an investment in the future and prosperity of our District and our members’ businesses,” Cindy says. “First Street will be a perfect spot for pictures. And, while people stroll down the streets, they’re more likely to stop and shop the businesses there. The increased foot traffic will be great for the businesses in the Olde Towne area, especially the Antique District. We’re grateful to the City of Slidell for making this dream a reality and our Association is proud to help bring this to Slidell.”

Mayor Greg Cromer has given his full and enthusiastic support to the project. “The addition of Antique Umbrella Alley to our historic Olde Towne area will bring even more visitors to Slidell. The umbrella display is not only a beautiful art piece, it’s an opportunity for the businesses in Olde Towne and beyond to get more customers and clients. It’s truly a win-win for everyone.”

The permanent display stretches down First Street from Erlanger Street to the triangle intersection of Front Street and Fremaux. The umbrellas will be visible day and night to the thousands of motorists traveling on Front Street and the visitors to Heritage Park, which makes the project even more appealing.

Councilwoman Leslie Denham, whose district includes Olde Towne, echoed the mayor’s sentiments. “It’s exciting to see this project coming to life. Olde Towne is the heart of Slidell and this gives people another reason to stroll, shop, dine and enjoy.”

A mural welcoming visitors to Antique Umbrella Alley is being painted by artist Matt Litchliter, creator of the Antique Umbrella Alley logo. Matt’s artwork has appeared on numerous Slidell Magazine covers and is probably most visibly seen on the iconic mural on Carey Street in Olde Towne. The mural will be placed on the side of the Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance building on the corner of Erlanger and First streets.

The Antique Association plans to work with the tourism centers in St. Tammany Parish, New Orleans, Mississippi and beyond to market our region’s one-of-a-kind display to attract more visitors to Slidell. A Facebook page is also being created to encourage visitors to post their pictures with the hashtag #AntiqueUmbrellaAlley. The possibilities are endless and the sky is the limit!

The official ribbon cutting of Antique Umbrella Alley is planned for Saturday, August 12, 2023. A brass band will lead a second-line (yes, with umbrellas!) down First Street to the ribbon cutting, which will kick off the annual City of Slidell celebration, White Linen & Lagniappe.

Mary Poppins and her famous umbrella, along with her fun-loving best friend, Bert, will be there, insuring a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time for everyone!

Come join in the fun and help promote Slidell’s newest and most colorful attraction!

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