C i t y
o f
L a k e
C h a r l e s
Mayor Hunter says everything changed with Port Wonder because it became the catalyst for attracting Crying Eagle Brewery to commit to a new location downtown. He was able to leverage the fully funded project (the BP oil settlement paid a large portion of the $20 million tab) to create a synergy for local investors and lessen their risk by building right next door to a large attraction. He says, “I believe we’ll look to this moment years from now as the starting point for a string of activity and new business along the lakefront. Port Wonder is a home run, but the addition of Crying Eagle made it a grand slam, because a family friendly restaurant is an absolute necessity along the lakefront for tourism and quality of life for locals.”
G r o u n d
PORT WONDER
You’ll hear Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter use the word ‘synergy’ quite a bit in speaking about lakefront development. He innately understood that no one wanted to be first to commit millions to a barren piece of waterfront property and he would have to find the right mix of established and new offerings to make it work. That’s why the June 2021 groundbreaking for the fully funded Port Wonder project signified a turning point in the decades old effort to breathe new life into downtown Lake Charles. Port Wonder will be home to the Southwest Louisiana Children’s Museum and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Science Center and Educational Complex.
42
B r e a k s
f o r
by Kerry Andersen
As for parking, developers will tell you it can make or break a project. Mayor Hunter knows that people are tired of looking at the decaying Harrah’s parking garage. He says, “Renovating the garage was the financially responsible thing to do. It would have cost up to $15 million to rebuild from scratch, but renovation will be closer to $3 million, and those 400 parking spots on the waterfront are crucial.” Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries (LWF) agents will be housed at Port Wonder, giving them a unique opportunity to interact with young people at the 8,400 square foot science and nature center where they can encourage them to respect and protect Louisiana’s natural assets. The center includes aquariums, a touch tank, Gulf-specific exhibits, and a covered fishing pier. LWF Press Secretary Ed Pratt says, “The complex will focus on what makes Sportsman’s Paradise special. Any town does better when they have a place where kids can be educated about our rich natural heritage and enjoy family activities.” After LSU Tiger Football, the Knock Knock Children’s Museum of Baton Rouge is the top tourism draw for the city. Its first year of operation attracted more than 200,000 visitors. The same designers will now turn their attention to the expansive Children’s Museum of SWLA, dreaming up an experience unique to Lake Charles. Children’s Museum Interim Director Allyson Montgomery says, “Most people don’t realize how big a tourism driver a children’s museum can be. Our old Broad Street location attracted more than 40,000 annual visitors with limited space and parking. We’re looking forward to doubling that number with our new custom designed space and high visibility to travelers on I-10 who are looking for a family friendly stop or day trip.”
Thrive
2021 - Annual Issue
