Request for Proposals (‘RFP’) issued for the redevelopment of the New Life Center

19 Jan 2022


OPELOUSAS, LA (January 19, 2022) The City of Opelousas, LA in partnership with St. Landry Economic Development (SLED), The Acadiana Planning Commission (APC), and the Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD) is pleased to issue this Request for Proposals (‘RFP’) for the redevelopment of the New Life Center and associated parcel of land (‘NLC Redevelopment Site,’ ‘Site,’ or ‘Project’) located in Downtown Opelousas, Louisiana under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the City of Opelousas. The New Life Center Redevelopment Site is in the heart of Downtown Opelousas and offers tremendous potential for a mixed-use redevelopment and advances the goals of the Opelousas Downtown Development Districts Master Plan.

The goal of this RFP is to select a redeveloper who can leverage the expertise of the real estate industry to reposition the New Life Center as a viable asset in Downtown Opelousas, bringing this historic building to its highest and best use that serves as a catalyst for future redevelopment.

"We have been working on this opportunity with the support of local, regional, state and federal partners to enhance this neighborhood asset. We are pleased to be taking this next step to explore options for this site and investment in the heart of our downtown business district," said Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor.

The City of Opelousas has taken the following steps to facilitate the redevelopment process a) Received technical assistance through the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program offered by EPA partner Kansas State University (KSU) to conduct community-based reuse planning and visioning and stakeholder focus groups to determine the level of support for different reuse options; b) conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment through EPA Region VI’s Targeted Brownfield Assessment (TBA) Program; c) Conducted a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment through LaDEQ’s Targeted Brownfield Assessment (TBA) Program; d) Received Local Foods Local Places Technical Assistance through EPA’s community revitalization program; e) Completed a Downtown Master Plan; f) Invest Opelousas Opportunity Zone Prospectus. A copy of these documents can be found at www.opportunitystlandry.com/NewLifeCenterRFP.

"The repurposing of the historic New Life Center is an opportunity to re-engage and revitalize this important section of the Downtown Opelousas business district and complement the existing anchor businesses," said Bill Rodier, CEO of St. Landry Economic Development. "I strongly encourage creative and motivated entrepreneurs to submit a proposal. This is a unique space and I’m really looking forward to seeing the results of this RFP." 

According to Ms. Lena Charles, Chairwoman of the Opelousas Downtown Development District, “This project supports the progress of the Opelousas Downtown Masterplan’s goal of creating a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use center of commerce attracting employers, residents, tourists, and shoppers while re-establishing Downtown Opelousas as the heart of economic, cultural, and civic life in the city.”

Interested redevelopers responding to this RFP should contact Bill Rodier via email at BillR@stlandryed.com to register for the site tour. The site tour will be held on February 9, 2022 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Redevelopers are encouraged to bring their architect, engineer, or any other applicable team members.

The full RFP can be found here. Responses are due March 18, 2022, at 5 p.m. CT.

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