Creating a catalyst for development at the western end of the West Bank. where the Huey P. Long Bridge expansion is almost complete, Jefferson Parish leaders could soon unveil a marketing strategy for a new community. Called Fairfield, the community would have its own zip code designation and encompass the area south of the West Bank Expressway from U.S. 90...
Creating a catalyst for development at the western end of the West Bank. where the Huey P. Long Bridge expansion is almost complete, Jefferson Parish leaders could soon unveil a marketing strategy for a new community. Called Fairfield, the community would have its own zip code designation and encompass the area south of the West Bank Expressway from U.S. 90 to Bayou Segnette.
Parish officials have long touted the $1.2 billion Huey P. Long Bridge project as the key to opening up one of the last pieces of fallow land in the region for commerce. They are focusing on the area wedged between Avondale and Westwego and home to the TPC Louisiana golf course, the Churchill Farms Technology Park and the NOLA Motorsports Park. Nearby are the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center and Bayou Segnette State Park.
"I think when you look at the rebranding of this area and couple it with the assets of this area ... there are so many offerings already there,'' said Jerry Bologna, executive director of the Jefferson Economic Development Commission, which is headquartered in the technology park. "We can come in with a clean slate and make it into something special.''
Property owners and parish officials have enlisted the help of the University of New Orleans and Digital Engineering to map the rebranding and marketing of the community. The strategy will include a master plan.
"This effort was borne out of the thought process of ... 'let's plan this out and do it the right way. How do we position this for not just residential but commercial development?''' Bologna said.
"We're starting to see more and more property owners position their properties for commerce, which we haven't seen in the past,'' Bologna said.
Parish Council member Mark Spears Jr., whose district includes Fairfield, said that it's an area not well known and thus the timing is right to establish its identity. He credited Parish Council Chairman Chris Roberts with suggesting the name change.
"This area is very fertile for growth,'' Spears said.
