Jena’s Vision Town Plan

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Client

Murphy McMillin, The Town of Jena

CPEX Role

  • Public Outreach
  • Technical Assistance
  • Planner

Date: 2010

Geographic Region:
The Town of Jena

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Leadership & Team

Summary

The town of Jena, Louisiana is a community of more than 3,000 residents in Central Louisiana. Its advantageous location along Highway 84 between Alexandria and Monroe, its growing oil and gas industry, and small-town charm has caused Jena to experience spillover growth from nearby cities.

As a part of the El Camino Real, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) initiated plans to widen Hwy 84 to four lanes — construction that threatened to wipe out downtown Jena completely. Mayor Murphy McMillin understood this threat and also realized it provided an opportunity for commercial and industrial growth.

CPEX helped assemble a Core Support Group that was the champion and sounding board for the consultant team during the nine-month planning process. Additionally, CPEX’s public outreach expertise was used to maximize the amount of public input and participation and included fliers, emails, newspaper articles, social media and public meeting announcements.

Outcome

Jena’s Vision was adopted in January 2010 and includes both policies to guide incremental change and small area plans. The plan proposed the realignment of Hwy 84 to a divided couplet with two 8-foot parking lanes and two 10-foot, one-way travel lanes. Additionally, the residents envisioned a promenade closed to vehicular traffic downtown, which would be used for special events. Both the Hwy 84 realignment and promenade development are anticipated to bring business to downtown Jena.

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