News and links about Lake Charles with a focus on Contraband Pointe.
2/9/23 As indicated on this KPLC coverage of the Feb 9th, construction groundbreaking ceremony, the Nelson Road Extension Bridge will reap numerous benefits, including increased walkability and improved traffic flow. Construction is slated to begin within 30-45 days.
The images that follow are courtesy of the Public Information Office of the City of Lake Charles.
2/8/2023
KPLC reports that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nelson Road Extension Bridge will be held on February 9th. While the story did not provide a timeline, sources have reported that construction is slated to begin within 90 -120 days and take 3 years to build.
Once completed, traffic to and from downtown Lake Charles, the CHRISTUS Ochsner Hospital, and the surrounding medical community, as well as residents of the Shell Beach Drive area, will have two routes to access Contraband Pointe as well as the nearby restaurants, retail, medical offices, casinos, and hotels.
Long-awaited, this is great news for those who have already invested in Contraband Pointe, such as Marcel Contraband Pointe which is under construction and is sure to reap the benefits of the traffic that will be generated due to this time-saving route. Learn more about Marcel and be sure to look at the plans detailed on their impressive brochure.
The drone image below provides the approximate location of the bridge and clearly illustrates the impact the bridge will have on developments such as Marcel Contraband Pointe.
Marcel Development has started construction for the Marcel Contraband Pointe! As indicated in their brochure, this project "delivers an update on the suburban mixed-use development model, one that integrates creative lifestyle amenities and a fresh take on the community retail experience. Marcel Contraband Pointe includes five restaurant and retail sites, as well as one of the only waterside restaurants in Lake Charles, and a dedicated building space to house an APEX Executive Suites, a flexible community co-working facility."
With five hotels to the immediate East of the 12-acre development and a conservative single occupancy projection, over 450 prospective customers can conveniently walk to the retail shops, restaurants, and offices planned for this new center which will also offer multi-family housing. Guests in the hotels on the North side of W Prien Lake Road and other nearby hotels will certainly be drawn to what this development is going to offer as well. This development plus the promise of the Nelson Road Extension Bridge provides more reason to check out the waterfront and commercial parcels that remain in Contraband Pointe. 
Of course, they will have plenty of company from local residents who are expected to flock to Shucks to satisfy their longing for a quality waterfront restaurant. Finally, a place to enjoy Louisiana seafood overlooking a beautiful Louisiana Bayou setting! Whether visiting by car or boat, Shucks is destined to become a "must" culinary destination.
The screenshots and quotes displayed here are just a sampling from this Marcel Contraband Pointe Development 15-page brochure that describes their enticing plans to combine true community living with retail and restaurants.
Loren Scott's 2023-2024 Louisiana Economic Forecast projects that the Lake Area will be "the fastest growing MSA in the state over the next two years, with employment bumps of 2,600 jobs (+2.6%) in 2023 and 4,600 jobs in 2024 (+4.4%). This excellent recovery will come from four key sources: (1) basic COVID/disaster recovery, (2) new industrial construction, (3) a newly opened land-based casino, and (4) new activity at Chennault Airport."
For years, Loren C. Scott, Professor Emeritus in Economics at Louisiana State University, has been considered the go-to economist for this region and beyond.
Scott's Annual Louisiana Economic Forecast is quoted extensively.
The formal ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of Contraband Parkway was held on August 29, 2019. This link leads to comments by Mayor Nic Hunter following the ceremony. His remarks stress the importance of Public/Private Partnerships such as the Contraband Parkway Project.
As the owner of Contraband Pointe, Block 18 of Barbe Properties, LLC, is proud to be one of these private partners, having donated well over 11 acres for the 4-lane road that now connects Prien Lake Road at the Contraband Pointe Traffic Circle to Nelson Rd at L'Auberge Avenue.
Thanks to Robin Richardson with KPLC TV for allowing us to capture and post her interview. Click here for Robin's coverage.