Representatives from the Cecilia community, speaking at the May 1 St. Martin Parish Council meeting, presented the case for officially adding part of the area to the list of Louisiana Cultural Districts.
Spokesperson Paula Calais Ohlmeyer and musician Laura Berard Huval made enthusiastic presentations describing the unique cultural history of the area and potential benefits for the proposed district, Cecilia and the entire parish.
Huval pointed out the that the only French immersion school in the parish is in the community, Cecilia has a rich musical history and is the home of two recording studios. Photos of several distressed historical buildings that could be used as locations for music venues, tourist centers or bed & breakfasts in the district were shown.
There are currently 89 such districts in Louisiana. Breaux Bridge and Arnaudville both have designated Cultural Districts.
The Cultural District program is administrated through the state Office of Cultural Development’s Division of the Arts. It allows municipalities to propose areas that officials feel meet the state-mandated criteria for official designation. According to the office’s website, Cultural Districts exist “for the purpose of revitalizing a community by creating a hub of cultural activity.”
The designation is not granted automatically. State officials evaluate the cultural significance of the area and the potential benefits of designation. When granted, it provides for tax credits for rehabilitation of owner-occupied or revenue generating historic structures in the district. It also promotes the marketing of one-of-a-kind art works at businesses in the district through exemption from sales and use taxes.
Parish President Chester Cedars and council members expressed enthusiastic support for the application. Cedars told the council, “Lets not let the grass grow beneath our feet on this,” and they agreed.
The council gave unanimous approval to ta resolution in support of Cecilia’s application. Cedars also suggested that the parish could consider supporting the purchase of a building in the community that could be repurposed for a multi-purpose civic center.
