Jefferson EDGE Releases Plan to Redevelop Fat City

Described as the most ambitious project of the Jefferson EDGE 2020 Strategic Plan, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) has introduced its plan to redevelop Fat City.

Over the last ten months, parish residents, business owners, stakeholders and community leaders have worked together to develop specific action items designed to transform Fat City into a mixed-use neighborhood with three distinct areas: a pedestrian core of family-friendly attractions and services, a residential district to the north and a broad commercial district to the south.

The redevelopment plan builds upon current initiatives such as new code requirements, interim zoning and the establishment of a tax increment financing (TIF) district.

"While Fat City currently has a diverse mix of uses, there is a lack of cohesiveness and flow between one use and another," said Jim Hudson, Chairperson of the Fat City Strike Force. "The plan addresses how pedestrian, residential and commercial uses all tie together with landscaping, sidewalks and ample parking."

Action items are divided into five main categories, each designed to mitigate problems, enforce higher development standards, attract new investment and improve the physical infrastructure of Fat City.

• Regulatory changes: establishing new zoning districts, a new zoning map and amortizing adult uses and non-conforming signage.
• Parking: instituting parking mitigation requirements, establishing a parking management entity and implementing a parking capital improvement plan to meet the demand for off-street parking.
• Infrastructure: developing capital plans and desired streetscape improvements and developing a funding mechanism for burying utilities.
• Public Service/Infrastructure: devising alternatives to front yard dumpsters, establishing a Business Development District (BDD) and neighborhood association, pursuing collaborative crime prevention initiatives and continuing code enforcement sweeps.
• Financing/Incentives: hiring a grants coordinator and public private liaison and developing landscaping and facade assistance programs.

"Due to its location in the heart of Metairie and its proximity to Lakeside Shopping Center and Causeway Boulevard, Fat City is prime real estate. With significant revitalization efforts, Fat City will attract long-term residential, commercial and industrial investments," Hudson said.

To view the full list of Fat City improvements download the Fat City Redevelopment Status Report

Fat City Redevelopment Status Report 1, October, 2009 (PDF - 6 Pages - 487 KB)

Download the full strategic implementation plan

Jefferson EDGE 2020 Strategic Implementation Plan - Fat City Redevelopment Report (PDF - 6.06mb)