§ 1-11. Joint Rivertown Development Commission.
(a)
Established. The Joint Rivertown Development Commission shall be and hereby is established, to consist of a minimum of fifteen (15) members and a maximum of eighteen (18) members, as appointed by the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, Monroe City Council and West Monroe City Council, with six (6) members to be appointed by each political body.
(b)
Duties and responsibilities. Members of the commission shall be charged with the responsibility of the following, to wit:
(1)
Historical preservation. To inventory historically significant buildings and structures with potential for restoration and preservation; and to identify economic incentives for historical restoration and preservation; to develop marketing strategies that capitalize on these historic themes to promote tourism and visitation.
(2)
Riverfront development. To investigate possible methods to overcome the visual and physical barriers to the Ouachita River that the flood walls and levees currently present. To consider riverwalks, green space, picnic areas, full-service marinas, ferries, and other elements that provide access to the Ouachita River. To work with the Tensas Levee Basin Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for legal and technical assistance and to establish limitations as to development. To monitor and control the environmental impact resulting from increased recreational use of the river and riverfront with the assistance of local environmental groups.
(3)
Economic revitalization. To identify and accommodate existing economic trends such as medical, professional, financial, retail, retirement, and other services. To identify potentials for initiating or expanding development opportunities in housing, dining, entertainment, cultural, recreational, business areas and others. To work with the Monroe and West Monroe City Governments and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury to establish "anchor" sites to attract visitation by area citizens as well as tourists. To coordinate efforts with the National Endowment of the Arts in the cultural development and economic revitalization planning grant. To work with local architects and city planners to establish guidelines for new construction to assure stylistic compatibility with existing historical structures. To develop a three-phase plan and establish five-year, ten-year, and fifteen-year goals to implement and accomplish all aforementioned objectives. To draw upon the knowledge and resources of all appropriate individuals and groups to attain these objectives.
(c)
Terms. All members of the commission shall serve terms of six (6) years.
(Ord. No. 8214, 4-15-91; Ord. No. 8229, 8-5-91)