St. Mary Excel reports on first-quarter activities
(Editor’s note: Here is a report on first quarter 2023 activities submitted by St. Mary Excel.)
St. Mary Excel continues to implement recommendations of the Urban Land Institute panel, "Morgan City and Berwick Louisiana: Building the Foundation for a New Economy Along the Atchafalaya River."
You can download a .pdf version of the institute’s report on this story at StMaryNow.com.
St Mary Excel:
—Hosted a Local Interest Group meeting Jan. 27. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P2e-bHa08o
—Collaborated with Morgan City grant writer, Hannah Roy, to submit a $2.8 million federal grant to
complete the Bike Morgan City project.
Current awarded bike grants remain: 1) placing pedestrian head crossings on three intersections identified as dangerous; 2) placing trails from downtown Morgan City to the South Louisiana Community College, and 3) continuation of the trail from the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau to David Drive.
The St. Mary Parish Council previously dedicated $100,000 in the 2023 budget to advance the work.
—Collaborated with the city of Morgan City, the town of Berwick, and the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau for the La. 182 bridge over the Atchafalaya Bridge to be accessible for hiking and biking (March 25, April 15, and May 6) before the bridge closes in late May 2023 for an approximate three-year period for painting.
—Followed the parish’s work toward a resilience lab with a soon to be signed contract with The Water Institute of the Gulf to involve stakeholders in resilience lab planning.
—Received industry endorsement on a maritime residential high school proposal as an economic diversification and coastal workforce development tool.
—Continued inquiry into the process for resurfacing La. 182 (making ADA sidewalks and turning lanes) as appropriate to local priorities.
—Drafted and shared a City Council neighborhood recognition challenge with Morgan City councilmen whereby homeowners and business owners are recognized for neighborhood and business revitalization efforts.
—Received an update that landscaping around the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area grant neighborhood signs has been done for neighbors to enjoy and for neighborhood leaders to maintain.
—Participated in a zoom meeting with THRIVE Allen County, Kansas, administrators on best practices administrative for sustaining and advancing St. Mary Excel community service.
—Posted YouTube clips on Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research Reserve 1: job possibilities (See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o18RxSL1qFw), 2: stakeholder involvement (See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hESKDOVSUyI), and 3: reserve administration (See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZxtkMzWbKQ).
—Worked with the PEW Institute to organize community readiness for engagement in the soon-to- be-released draft Atchafalaya National Estuarine Research Reserve management plan. The plan will include all facets on reserve operation in the Atchafalaya zone.
—Partnered with the Atchafalaya Intracoastal Coalition and with the Morgan City and Berwick administrations to host a ANERR leaders’ photo opportunity atop the La. 182 bridge during the April 15 and May 6 scheduled hiking/biking events.