OPELOUSAS, LA- Arpeggio’s Lounge and Event Center in downtown Opelousas has been selected as one of the latest recipients of a Redevelopment Incentive Grant administered through the Louisiana Main Street Program. The matching grant award of $6400 will help to rehab the building’s exterior doors and with painting the exterior of the building which is located at 202 North Main Street in Opelousas.
The one-story wooden building is well over 50 years old, having served the community as a general store, package liquor business and bar. In March 2017, owners Thurman and Dr. Carmen Johnson opened Arpeggio’s which offers breakfast and lunch as well as serves as a rental venue for meetings and social events.
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development’s Division of Historic Preservation recently announced more than $92,000 in grant funding for 2021-2022 awarded through the Louisiana Main Street program to 11 Main Street communities to revitalize historic commercial buildings.
The Louisiana Main Street program is an economic development program with its foundation in historic preservation. The program offers two types of competitive state-funded, matching Restoration Grants annually for either interior or exterior rehabilitation for a historic commercial building. Funded by the state, the program operates under the umbrella of the National Main Street Center.
Over the years, Opelousas Main Street properties has received over $150-thousand dollars in redevelopment grant funds. Overall, Louisiana Main Street communities have seen $969 million in total investment between the private and public sectors including new construction and rehabilitation along with 14,379 new jobs, 3,506 new businesses, and more than 1.1 million volunteers.
Last modified: May 17, 2022